It started on a Tuesday morning at 10:30 AM. I was working on my laptop when my phone buzzed. It was an automated voice call: “This is FedEx. Your parcel containing illegal items has been seized by Customs. Press 9 to speak to an executive.”
I hadn’t ordered anything via FedEx. But curiosity got the better of me. I pressed 9. That single button press began a 4-hour psychological torture known as “Digital Arrest.”
In this CSNR special report, I am sharing my raw, unfiltered experience of this scam. I want you to feel what I felt, so when it happens to you (and it will), you will know exactly what to do.
Phase 1: The Setup (The Fear)
The “FedEx Executive” spoke perfect English. He verified my name and phone number. “Sir, a parcel booked in your name going from Mumbai to Taiwan has been intercepted. It contains 5 passports, 3 credit cards, and 200 grams of MDMA (drugs).”
I laughed. “That’s impossible. I didn’t book this.” He sounded grave. “We suspect identity theft, sir. But since your Aadhaar card was used, the Mumbai Police have issued an arrest warrant. I must transfer you to the Cyber Crime Branch immediately.”
Before I could think, the call was transferred. A new voice barked: “This is Sub-Inspector Vinay Kumar, Andheri Police Station. Turn on your video camera immediately for verification.”
The “Police Station”
I switched to a Skype video call. On my screen, I saw a man in a full police uniform. Behind him, I could hear walkie-talkies crackling and officers shouting. It looked 100% real. He showed me a document with my photo and the words “MONEY LAUNDERING – ARREST WARRANT.”
My heart stopped. Logically, I knew I was innocent. But fear makes you stupid.
Phase 2: The Isolation (The Brainwash)
For the next 2 hours, they kept me on that video call. This is the “Digital Arrest.” They told me:
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“Do not move from your room.”
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“Do not take any other calls.”
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“If you tell your family, we will arrest them as accomplices.”
They isolated me. They made me believe I was in the middle of a national security investigation. They asked for my bank balance to “verify if the laundered money entered my account.” Like a fool, I told them roughly how much I had.
Phase 3: The Demand (The Sting)
Finally, the “DCP” (Deputy Commissioner) joined the call. “Sir, to prove your innocence, we need to conduct a financial verification. You must transfer 80% of your funds to the RBI Secret Sandbox Account. If the money is clean, it will be refunded in 15 minutes.”
That was the moment the spell broke. “RBI Secret Account?” I paused. I looked at the “DCP” on the screen. He was looking down, reading from a script. The “walkie-talkie” sound was looping every 30 seconds.
I cut the call. They called back 20 times. They sent messages: “Police team is on the way.” “Non-bailable warrant issued.” I blocked them. I sat on my floor, shaking, realizing I had almost transferred my life savings to a stranger.
My Opinion: Why Intelligent People Fall for This
People ask me: “How could you be so dumb?”
My Verdict: It is not about intelligence; it is about Authority. When a man in a uniform screams at you, your brain enters “Survival Mode.” You want to resolve the conflict. You want to prove you are a good citizen. These scammers are not just thieves; they are psychological actors. They have scripts, costumes, and sound effects.
The Red Flag I Missed: Real Police will NEVER video call you on Skype or WhatsApp to interrogate you. If you are a suspect, they will come to your house or send a physical notice. They do not do “Online Arrests.”
What To Do If You Get This Call?
If you receive a call about “FedEx,” “Customs,” or “TRAI” threatening to disconnect your number:
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Do Not Press 9: Just hang up.
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No Video Calls: Never join a Skype/WhatsApp video call with a stranger.
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The “Sanchar Saathi” Check: If they claim your Aadhaar is used for illegal SIMs, check it yourself on the government’s Sanchar Saathi Portal.
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Report It: Dial 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline) immediately.
Our Analysis / Expert Opinion
At CSNR, we analyzed the scripts and patterns used in this specific incident. This was not a random prank; it was a sophisticated “Social Engineering” attack designed to trigger ‘Cognitive Overload’.
1. The “Virtual Police Station” Illusion
The most dangerous element of this scam is the Video Call Environment. Our Assessment: The scammers likely used a “Green Screen” or a pre-recorded loop to simulate a police station background.
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The Audio Engineering: The sound of “walkie-talkies,” “typing,” and “officers shouting” is a pre-recorded audio track played to make you feel you are in a busy station.
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The Uniforms: The “Officer” was likely wearing a rented costume. In 90% of cases, if you look closely at their shoulder badges, the stars or text are incorrect or blurry.
2. The Psychology of “Digital Arrest”
Why did they keep you on the line for 4 hours? Expert Insight: This technique is called “Isolation & Urgency.” By forcing you to keep the camera ON and forbidding you to talk to family, they cut off your “Reality Check.”
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The Goal: To keep your brain in a state of high-beta panic. When you are panicked, the logical part of your brain (Prefrontal Cortex) shuts down. You stop asking if this is real and start focusing on how to survive.
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The Trap: They position themselves as the “Good Guys” trying to help you clear your name, which makes you trust the very person stealing from you.
3. The Legal Reality Check (Crucial)
We consulted legal experts to clarify the actual police procedure in India.
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Fact: Under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Police usually issue a Section 41A Notice (physical paper) for questioning.
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Fact: No Indian Law Enforcement Agency (CBI, ED, Narcotics Bureau) conducts interrogations via Skype or WhatsApp Video.
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Fact: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) does not have “Secret Sandbox Accounts” for verifying funds. Any request to transfer money for “verification” is 100% fraud.
Final Verdict: The scam relies entirely on your fear of authority. The moment you cut the call, their power over you vanishes. They cannot arrest you through a screen.
