I believed it was a scam call, but it wasn't. Journalist's Digital Arrest experience

The harrowing ordeal that journalist faced is a stark reminder of how sophisticated and psychologically manipulative modern scams can be. What started as a seemingly harmless automated call from a courier company spiraled into hours of mental torture and manipulation. This is a classic case of digital entrapment, where even those who are aware of cyber fraud find themselves vulnerable due to the well-crafted techniques used by scammers.

It all began with an automated voice message from an unknown number claiming to be from FedEx, which made her press "1" to get details about a supposed courier. This seemingly innocuous decision opened the floodgates to a carefully orchestrated scam that used fear, authority, and deception to mentally paralyze her. As soon as the call was connected to "Karan Verma" from the alleged courier company, the conversation took a dark turn. He insisted that the journalist was the sender of a suspicious parcel, which had been seized at Mumbai airport due to the presence of drugs. What made the situation worse was the professional tone and assertiveness with which the scam was carried out. 

Despite the journalist’s initial disbelief, the mention of her Aadhaar number being misused and the alleged connection to illegal substances began to weigh on her mind. The scammers knew exactly how to play on her emotions, creating a sense of urgency and panic. By telling her that her call was being recorded and would be shared with the Mumbai Police, they made the situation feel even more real and threatening.

When Karan Verma transferred the call to someone posing as a police officer, "Vinay Kumar Chaudhary," the psychological manipulation intensified. The fake officer interrogated her, implying she was involved in drug trafficking. The escalating accusations, coupled with authoritative threats, made her feel trapped and defenseless. The scammers cleverly created a chaotic and high-pressure environment, where the journalist was made to follow a series of commands without questioning them. They isolated her by instructing her to turn off data and put her phone in flight mode, ensuring she couldn’t contact anyone else for advice.

The elaborate set-up continued with a video call on Skype, where a man in a police uniform further reinforced the scam. The entire interaction was designed to instill fear, making her feel like a criminal. At every stage, they presented fake documents and arrest warrants to convince her that she was in serious legal trouble. They even went as far as fabricating stories about a money laundering case involving Rs 2 crore, linking her Aadhaar and bank details to these fraudulent activities.

The scammers had meticulously studied their victim, knowing her location, office timings, and personal details, which deepened her belief that this was real. They used these details to manipulate her further, convincing her that her family was in danger and that the criminals were watching her every move. This level of intrusion into her personal life made her feel vulnerable and powerless, leading her to comply with their demands out of fear.

Throughout this entire ordeal, the journalist was subjected to mental torture, where her sense of reality was slowly eroded. She was trapped in a psychological nightmare, believing that she was guilty of crimes she hadn’t committed. Despite knowing that such scams exist, the situation's intensity overwhelmed her ability to think rationally. It was only when she managed to break free from their control and contact a relative that she realized she had been scammed.

The psychological damage inflicted during those hours of manipulation is hard to quantify. The journalist was left feeling violated, shaken, and deeply fearful of further repercussions. Even though the scam had ended, the trauma lingered. The feeling of being watched, the fear that her identity had been compromised, and the relentless mental pressure continued to haunt her. The scammers had succeeded in making her feel digitally hostage, manipulating her every move and pushing her into a corner from which escape seemed impossible.

This case highlights the chilling effectiveness of modern scams, where perpetrators don’t just seek financial gain but also exert control over their victims’ minds. It also underscores the importance of raising awareness about these scams, as even the most vigilant individuals can fall prey to such sophisticated tactics when fear and confusion are weaponized against them.