How Did Cybercriminals Impersonating an IPS Officer Scam ₹78.6 Lakh from an Elderly Couple in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar?

In July 2025, an elderly couple in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar lost ₹78.6 lakh after cybercriminals impersonated senior IPS officer Vishwas Nangare Patil using AI-generated video calls. The attackers falsely accused the couple of terrorism financing and threatened them with "digital arrest," coercing multiple fund transfers over six days. This real-world case highlights the rising threat of AI-driven impersonation scams in India, emphasizing the need for public awareness, especially among senior citizens, about deepfake technologies and cyber fraud tactics. Authorities have warned citizens to always verify official identities and report suspicious calls immediately.

  Security News & Threat Intelligence   Jul 12, 2025   18  Add to Reading List

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Cybercriminals in India have taken impersonation scams to a dangerous new level. In July 2025, an elderly couple from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was defrauded of ₹78.6 lakh by attackers posing as senior IPS officer Vishwas Nangare Patil using AI-powered video call technology.

This real-world case highlights how deepfake videos and AI-driven impersonation are being used to exploit fear, targeting vulnerable individuals under the guise of official authority.

What Happened in the IPS Officer Impersonation Scam?

  • Location: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India

  • Victims: Elderly couple, including a retired government employee

  • Amount Lost: ₹78.6 lakh transferred over six days

  • Method Used:

    • Deepfake video call impersonating IPS Vishwas Nangare Patil

    • Psychological manipulation using false claims of a “digital arrest”

    • Repeated phone calls coercing the victims

Timeline of the Fraud

Date Range Event Description
July 2–7, 2025 Fraudulent calls and fund transfers occurred
July 8, 2025 Case reported to Kranti Chowk Police Station

How Attackers Exploited Fear Using AI

The fraudsters executed a multi-layered social engineering attack:

  • Step 1: Contacted the couple claiming their bank account was linked to terrorism financing.

  • Step 2: Used an AI-generated deepfake video impersonating the IPS officer during a video call.

  • Step 3: Threatened the couple with “digital arrest” if they didn’t comply.

  • Step 4: Pressured the victims over multiple calls, gradually extracting ₹78.6 lakh.

Why This Case Matters in 2025

  • Use of AI Deepfakes: AI-generated video calls add dangerous authenticity to scams.

  • Targeting Vulnerable Groups: Elderly citizens, especially those unfamiliar with cybersecurity, remain primary targets.

  • Exposing the “Digital Arrest” Myth: Law enforcement has clarified that no such thing exists legally in India.

What is a “Digital Arrest” Scam?

“Digital Arrest” is a fake term used by scammers to pressure victims into transferring funds. Criminals pretend to be police or tax officers and claim the victim has committed a crime — in this case, money laundering or terrorism financing.

Victims are threatened with jail, police cases, or frozen bank accounts unless they immediately transfer large sums of money.

Key Lessons from the IPS Officer Impersonation Fraud

Lesson Explanation
Always Verify Identities Official officers won’t demand money over calls or video apps.
Be Aware of Deepfake Technology Video calls can now be manipulated using AI, so visual proof isn’t enough.
Never Trust Threatening Calls Legitimate authorities do not use threats to demand payments.
Report Quickly Timely police reports increase the chance of recovering some funds.
Educate Family Members Especially senior citizens who may be less digitally aware.

What Authorities Say

  • Kranti Chowk Police Station: A formal investigation is ongoing.

  • Public Advisory:

    • No law enforcement agency in India uses terms like “digital arrest.”

    • Verify identities through official websites or direct in-person visits to police stations.

    • Immediately report such incidents to local cybercrime helplines.

Conclusion

The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar IPS impersonation case serves as a wake-up call for both individuals and organizations.

Cybercriminals are now using AI-powered tools to create highly convincing scams that prey on fear and urgency.

In 2025, protecting yourself isn’t just about strong passwords — it’s about recognizing psychological manipulation combined with cutting-edge technology.

FAQs 

What is the IPS officer impersonation scam in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar?

The IPS officer impersonation scam involved cybercriminals using AI-generated video calls to pose as senior police officer Vishwas Nangare Patil. They falsely accused an elderly couple of terror-related financial activities and coerced them into transferring ₹78.6 lakh.

How much money was lost in the IPS impersonation scam?

The elderly couple lost a total of ₹78.6 lakh, which they transferred over six days due to repeated calls and threats from the fraudsters.

Who was impersonated during the scam?

The scammers impersonated IPS officer Vishwas Nangare Patil through AI-generated video calls to add credibility to their threats.

How did the cybercriminals use AI in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar fraud?

Cybercriminals used AI deepfake technology to create a realistic video call showing an impersonated IPS officer, convincing the victims that the threat was real.

What is a digital arrest scam?

A digital arrest scam is a form of cyber fraud where attackers falsely claim that a victim is under investigation or arrest for cybercrimes or financial fraud, pressuring them to transfer money immediately.

Are digital arrests a real legal concept in India?

No, there is no legal concept called digital arrest in India. Any such claim made over a phone or video call is fraudulent.

How did the victims get convinced to transfer money?

The victims were subjected to continuous psychological manipulation, including repeated threatening calls and a deepfake video call from someone posing as a police officer.

When did the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar impersonation fraud take place?

The fraud occurred between July 2 and July 7, 2025, as reported by the local police station.

Which police station is handling the investigation?

Kranti Chowk Police Station in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is handling the case and investigation.

What are AI deepfake videos used for in cyber scams?

AI deepfake videos are used to impersonate trusted officials or celebrities to create convincing scams that manipulate victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive information.

Why are elderly citizens targeted by impersonation scams?

Elderly individuals are often less familiar with modern technology and cybercrime tactics, making them more vulnerable to manipulation through impersonation scams.

How can you identify an IPS officer impersonation fraud?

Red flags include unexpected video calls from officials, demands for immediate payments, threats of legal action without proper documentation, and requests made via unofficial channels.

What should you do if someone threatens you with digital arrest?

You should immediately hang up, avoid making any payments, verify the caller’s identity through official channels, and report the incident to local police or India’s cybercrime helpline.

How can people verify police officer identities in India?

Verify through official government portals, visit local police stations in person, or call official police department numbers listed on government websites.

Is video call verification always trustworthy?

No. Cybercriminals now use deepfake technology to create fake video calls that look real. Trust official verification methods, not just visual proof.

What is the role of Kranti Chowk Police Station in this case?

Kranti Chowk Police Station is leading the investigation into the scam and has issued public advisories warning against such impersonation frauds.

How long did the IPS impersonation scam last?

The fraudulent activities lasted for approximately six days, during which the elderly couple was manipulated into transferring funds.

How did cybercriminals psychologically manipulate the victims?

They used fear tactics, false legal threats, repeated calls, and convincing video calls to pressure the victims into complying with their demands.

What steps should you take after falling victim to a cyber scam?

Immediately report the fraud to your local police station, file a complaint on India’s Cybercrime portal (cybercrime.gov.in), and inform your bank to freeze the affected accounts.

How common are police officer impersonation scams in India in 2025?

Such scams have become increasingly common, especially with the use of AI and deepfake technologies, targeting individuals across age groups.

What is the biggest risk factor in AI-powered cyber scams?

The biggest risk is the high level of believability due to realistic video, audio, and text-based impersonation powered by AI.

Can police recover money lost in such scams?

While not guaranteed, police may freeze accounts linked to scammers if reported promptly. Some victims recover partial amounts through rapid action.

How to protect senior citizens from AI-driven fraud?

Educate them about such scams, ensure they know not to share sensitive information over calls or video chats, and help set up security controls on their devices.

What official helpline numbers are available for cybercrime in India?

You can report cybercrimes via India’s Cybercrime Helpline: 1930 or online at cybercrime.gov.in.

Why is AI impersonation considered a major threat today?

AI impersonation enables scammers to create highly convincing fake identities, increasing the success rate of frauds and making detection harder.

What devices or platforms were used in the IPS impersonation scam?

The scammers used smartphones, video calling apps, and regular banking platforms for money transfers.

Is there a specific term for scams using fake government identities?

Yes, it is referred to as “government official impersonation fraud,” a type of social engineering attack.

How does AI make social engineering attacks more convincing?

AI enables realistic video, voice cloning, and automated messaging, making it harder for victims to distinguish fake from real communication.

How to report impersonation scams to Indian authorities?

You can report through India’s Cybercrime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in or visit the nearest police station.

What cybersecurity measures can prevent such scams?

Use multi-factor authentication, educate family members about common scams, verify caller identity through official channels, and avoid sharing personal information online.

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