{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Fake NIA Chief Terrifies Retired Solan Couple with Digital Arrest, Dupes Them of Rs 72.10 Lakh in Nalagarh",
  "summary": "Cybercriminals in Nalagarh, Solan placed an elderly retired couple under digital arrest for two days, intimidating them with fake terror charges and defrauding them of Rs 72.10 lakh despite bank warnings.",
  "content": "Himachal Pradesh's Solan district has reported a severe cyber fraud case where an elderly retired couple lost Rs 72.10 lakh to cybercriminals after being placed under a fake digital arrest for two consecutive days. The impostors posed as senior anti-terror investigators to intimidate the victims into liquidating their entire life savings. Even after the branch manager of Punjab National Bank in Nalagarh spent 30 minutes trying to caution the couple against the transaction, the panicked victims insisted on executing the transfer, falsely alleging that they needed the funds to complete an urgent real estate purchase.\n\nTerror Investigation Threat and Two-Day Digital Arrest\nThe ordeal commenced on 5 September, when the high-ranking retired couple received an unexpected phone call. The caller falsely introduced himself as Prakash Agrawal, Chief of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and informed them that their credentials were under active scrutiny by the Anti-Terrorism Squad. He alleged that their Aadhaar card details had been discovered in connection with serious terrorist activities. Exploiting their panic, the fraudsters collected their bank account numbers, Aadhaar details, and PAN card credentials. The scam artists then held the couple under digital arrest inside their own home for two full days, continuously keeping them under psychological pressure and demanding Rs 72.10 lakh under the guise of security verification. The victims were also asked to state in a written document that they were suffering from illness.\n\nPanic Transaction at PNB Nalagarh Branch\nTerrified by the constant intimidation, the couple rushed to the Punjab National Bank branch in Nalagarh to prematurely withdraw all their fixed deposits. Upon seeing the large sum involved and the couple's anxious behavior, bank manager Saurabh Mokta intervened and spent half an hour warning them about potential cyber scams. However, fear prevailed over advice. To bypass the manager's objections, the couple falsely stated that they were transferring Rs 72.10 lakh to purchase a property. Driven by the fear instilled during their digital confinement, they finalized the transaction, effectively handing over their entire life savings to the fraudulent accounts.\n\nPensioners Group Post Exposes Fraud and Triggers Helpline Complaint\nThe financial crime came to light only when the couple mistakenly posted a document into a local pensioners' group, mentioning that they were heart patients and seeking assistance. Ashwani Ghai, a retired manager from Punjab National Bank who was part of the group, noticed the message and promptly visited the couple's residence. After extensive counseling, he persuaded them to disclose the entire incident. Ashwani Ghai immediately alerted the bank authorities, but the perpetrators had already transferred the money out of the target accounts. Following the realization of the fraud, the couple registered a formal complaint on the police cyber crime helpline number 1930 to seek law enforcement action.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis incident serves as a crucial warning for citizens regarding the escalating dangers of fake digital arrest scams.\n\n• Across India: Government investigative agencies never arrest, detain, or interrogate citizens over phone calls or video sessions. If someone claiming to be from the NIA, CBI, or police demands money under threat, hang up immediately and report to 1930.\n• In Himachal Pradesh: Bank customers in the Solan and Nalagarh regions must pay strict attention to warnings issued by branch managers during large transactions. Always verify suspect claims directly with local law enforcement before liquidating accounts.\n• For Senior Citizens: Elderly individuals should never disclose bank credentials, Aadhaar numbers, or PAN details to unverified callers. Consulting trusted family members or official authorities before transferring life savings is vital.\n• Bank Account Safety: Customers initiating abrupt withdrawals or closing fixed deposits should be transparent with bank officials. Answering verification questions honestly helps managers intercept ongoing cyber fraud before money leaves the bank.\n\nWhy this happened\nThis financial fraud occurred due to meticulously planned impersonation tactics and extreme psychological pressure exerted by cybercriminals. The fraudsters created an environment of terror that forced the victims to ignore explicit warnings from bank officials.\n\n• Impersonation of High Officials: Cybercriminals posed as the Chief of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and fabricated terror allegations involving the couple's Aadhaar card. The severity of these false charges panicked the retired victims into complete compliance.\n• Two-Day Digital Confinement: The perpetrators enforced a two-day digital arrest inside the couple's residence, keeping them under continuous psychological distress. This isolation prevented the victims from seeking help or verifying the caller's credentials.\n• Coerced Falsehood at the Bank: Driven by extreme terror, the couple ignored half an hour of warnings from bank manager Saurabh Mokta. They fabricated a story about buying property to complete the transfer, bypassing banking safety protocols.\n• Discovery via Pensioner Network: The crime was exposed only after the victims posted a document seeking assistance in a pensioners' WhatsApp group. Retired manager Ashwani Ghai intervened personally, persuading them to file an official complaint on helpline 1930.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. How much money was defrauded from the retired couple in Solan?\nCybercriminals defrauded the retired couple of Rs 72.10 lakh.\n\n2. Whose identity did the cyber fraudster fake during the phone call?\nThe caller pretended to be Prakash Agrawal, Chief of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).\n\n3. What advice did the bank manager offer to the couple?\nPunjab National Bank manager Saurabh Mokta spent 30 minutes trying to warn the couple about potential fraud.\n\n4. How was the digital arrest fraud discovered?\nThe scam was revealed after retired bank manager Ashwani Ghai saw the couple's letter in a pensioners' WhatsApp group and visited their house.\n\n5. Where did the victims file their official complaint?\nThe victims registered a formal complaint on the police cyber crime helpline 1930.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/himachal-pradesh/himachal-pradesh-ke-solan-men-pharji-nia-adhikari-ne-dnpati-ko-do-dina-kiya-dijitala-aresta-darakara-ainthe-72-10-lakha-rupaye-30213",
  "category": "Himachal Pradesh",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-09",
  "tags": [
    "Digital Arrest",
    "Solan News",
    "Himachal Pradesh",
    "Cyber Crime",
    "Punjab National Bank",
    "NIA Fraud"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}