SBI Branch in Hyderabad Thwarts Major ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam (Representative Image)
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The State Bank of India (SBI) and its staff are often the target of criticism and memes. However, a vigilant team of employees at an SBI branch in Hyderabad recently prevented a senior citizen from being defrauded of Rs 13 lakh through a swift ‘digital arrest.’
Scammers targeted a 61-year-old child specialist who had been a long-time customer of the bank. They deceived the senior citizen into believing he was under “digital arrest” and instructed him to keep it a secret. Upon reaching the bank, the customer informed an associate of his intention to break his Fixed Deposits and withdraw the funds.
The bank associate, Surya Swathi D, observed that the customer appeared tense and inquired about the issue. The customer claimed he needed to withdraw the money for personal reasons. Unsatisfied with the explanation, the associate referred him to the branch manager, Kumar Gaud. The manager explained that the customer initially stated he was planning to buy property. However, when asked about the property’s location, the customer admitted he hadn’t decided yet, which further raised suspicions among the bank staff.
During his third visit, the bank connected the customer to 1930, the national cybercrime helpline, where he was informed that there was no such thing as a “digital arrest.” After three days of distress, the elderly customer finally realized he was about to be scammed and ended the call with the fraudster. He later revealed to the bank staff that during his visits to the branch, he had been on a call with the scammer, who repeatedly urged him not to trust the bank employees.
