Retired Couple Falls Victim to Cyber Fraud in Nalagarh, Losing Over ₹72 Lakhs

In a shocking incident, a retired couple from Nalagarh fell victim to a cyber fraud scheme, losing ₹72.10 lakh after being threatened with a fabricated case involving terrorism. The scammers impersonated a high-ranking NIA official, leading the couple to believe their personal information was compromised. Despite warnings from a bank manager, they proceeded with the transaction. The case underscores the alarming rise of digital scams where fraudsters exploit fear and deception to steal from unsuspecting victims. Authorities are now investigating the matter following the couple's complaint.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 9, 2026, 18:16 IST

Cyber Fraud Incident in Nalagarh

A retired couple residing in Nalagarh has reportedly been swindled out of ₹72.10 lakh by cybercriminals who subjected them to a two-day 'digital arrest', threatening them with legal repercussions tied to a fictitious case of terrorism.

The fraud was uncovered when documents shared by the couple with the scammers were mistakenly circulated in a local group for pensioners.

As per the couple's complaint, they received a call on September 5 from an individual impersonating NIA chief Prakash Agrawal. This caller claimed that their Aadhaar information had been linked to a Canara Bank account involved in terrorist activities, putting them under surveillance by security agencies.

The scammers collected sensitive information from the couple, including their bank account details, Aadhaar, and PAN cards, instructing them to keep the situation confidential. They demanded ₹72.10 lakh as a 'security deposit', promising that the couple would be exonerated once the funds were transferred.

Following these instructions, the couple visited a Punjab National Bank branch in Nalagarh and liquidated their fixed deposits to gather the required amount. However, bank manager Saurabh Mokta grew suspicious and spent approximately 30 minutes attempting to dissuade them from proceeding with the transaction.

Despite the manager's concerns, the couple insisted they needed the funds for a property purchase and completed the transfer to the fraudsters' account.

The situation came to light when a letter from the couple seeking assistance was shared within the pensioners' group. Ashwani Ghai, a retired manager from PNB, later visited them and learned about the scam. He promptly notified the bank, but by that time, the money had already been withdrawn.

The couple has since filed a complaint through the 1930 cybercrime helpline, and an investigation is currently in progress.

This incident highlights the increasing prevalence of 'digital arrest' scams, where fraudsters impersonate high-ranking police or investigative officials, using threats of arrest and fabricated criminal charges to coerce victims into transferring their savings.