Senior MP targeted in shocking ‘digital arrest’ phone scam
A senior AIADMK leader and Rajya Sabha MP has fallen victim to a sophisticated 'digital arrest' scam. CV Shanmugam received a threatening call from fraudsters posing as police officers, who falsely accused him of serious crimes. The incident has raised concerns about the growing boldness of cybercriminals targeting high-profile individuals.
The scam began when Shanmugam answered a call from an unknown number. The display showed 'BKC Police Station Mumbai' on Truecaller, suggesting an official source. Initially speaking in English, the callers claimed he was a terrorist with 17 pending criminal cases and demanded his immediate surrender.
When Shanmugam asked for official identification, the fraudsters switched to Tamil and resorted to verbal abuse. Online checks later revealed the number was registered to a user in West Bengal, though its signal was traced to Delhi. The MP promptly filed a written complaint at the Parliament House Police Station in Delhi, requesting an FIR and a CBI investigation.
Shanmugam warned that if an MP could be targeted so easily, ordinary citizens faced even greater risks. He stressed the need for stronger action against such cybercrimes to prevent further victims.
The case remains under review by Delhi police as of December 2025. No public updates have been released regarding an investigation into the scam or its perpetrators. The incident highlights the ongoing threat of digital fraud, even to public figures with access to security resources.
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