A routine courier-related call transformed into a 40-hour nightmare for popular social media influencer Ankush Bahuguna, who recently revealed his traumatic experience as a victim of an elaborate cyber arrest scam. The incident has sparked widespread concern about the evolving sophistication of digital fraud schemes targeting individuals across India.
Ankush Bahuguna's 40-Hour Digital Arrest
He posted the video on Instagram and in the caption wrote, “Sharing this so others don’t have to go through what I went through. I feel so lucky to have friends with such strong instincts who noticed a change in my behaviour even when they were getting ‘I’m okay’ texts from me. They literally saved the day. Imagine if they hadn’t come looking for me or looked for clues! I’d probably still be in that cyber arrest & would’ve lost all my money. Pls beware of this scam. I know a lot of you are aware of it but I don’t think a lot of people understand the extent to which these scammers can go to control you!”
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Ankush Bahuguna's 40-Hour Digital Arrest: How It All Began
The terrifying chain of events began when Bahuguna received an automated phone call shortly after returning from the gym. The call, originating from an international number, informed him that a courier delivery he was expecting had been cancelled. The caller instructed him to press 'zero' for further support. Without thinking, Bahuguna complied and was connected to a so-called customer service representative. The scammers quickly escalated the situation, claiming that Bahuguna’s name was linked to a package containing illegal items, which had been seized by customs.
“I got scared, I said I hadn’t sent anything,” Bahuguna recalled, but the situation rapidly worsened. The scammers insisted that his personal information, including his Aadhar number, was associated with the package, and that he was now under 'digital arrest.' They claimed he was involved in serious crimes, including money laundering and drug trafficking.
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As the scam escalated, Bahuguna was told he was a 'prime suspect' in a 'national case,' with an arrest warrant issued in his name. Panic set in as he was informed that he needed to speak to the police immediately. The scammers transferred him to a WhatsApp video call, where Bahuguna saw a man in a police uniform who claimed he was part of the investigation into his supposed criminal activities.
The fraudsters isolated Bahuguna from the outside world, instructing him to cut off all communication with friends and family. “They extracted every possible information out of me,” he said. He was told to turn off all electronic devices and refrain from contacting anyone, further adding to his fear and confusion.
A Dire Situation: False Custody
The manipulation reached its peak when Bahuguna was told he was under 'self-custody,' and had to remain on a video call with the scammers for the next 40 hours. He was prevented from responding to messages or making phone calls. “I was on a video call with them for 40 hours,” he said, describing how they continuously kept him under psychological pressure.
During this period, the scammers directed Bahuguna to a bank, urging him to make suspicious transactions. However, these transactions didn’t go through as the bank was closed. It wasn’t until a friend, noticing something was wrong, contacted Bahuguna and alerted him about the scam, that he realised he had been tricked.
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Mental Health and Awareness
In his emotional Instagram post, Bahuguna emphasised the mental toll the scam had on him. “I have lost money, I have lost my mental health to this, I can’t believe this has happened to me,” he confessed. He credited his friends for their quick thinking and sharp instincts, which ultimately helped him avoid losing more money or further deteriorating his mental state.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have friends who picked up on subtle changes in my behaviour, even when I was texting ‘I’m okay,’” Bahuguna wrote in the video caption. He urged others to stay vigilant, recognising the psychological tactics employed by scammers to manipulate their victims.
Raising Awareness of Cyber Scams
Bahuguna’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of digital scams. Scammers often use sophisticated techniques, exploiting personal information and inducing panic to manipulate their victims. With the rise of digital platforms and social media, these scams are becoming more prevalent, targeting both high-profile influencers and ordinary individuals.
“It’s very rampant, and instances like this are happening so much,” Bahuguna pointed out, highlighting the widespread nature of these scams. He encouraged his followers to be cautious and aware of the warning signs of fraud, especially when receiving unexpected calls or messages claiming involvement in illegal activities.
Bahuguna also took the opportunity to urge his audience to avoid judging victims of such scams. “Not everybody reacts the same way to panic. Instead of calling this stupid, make people around you aware of it,” he advised.
Ankush Bahuguna’s 40-hour ordeal is a painful example of how vulnerable individuals can be to digital scams. His story underscores the importance of staying informed and vigilant about online fraud.
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Image Courtesy: Freepik
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