An 82-year-old former government employee was cheated of Rs 4.96 lakh by cyber fraudsters posing as officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) who kept her under “digital arrest” for more than 56 hours. According to the FIR registered at Navghar police station, the woman received a WhatsApp video call on December 15 from an unknown number, with the caller claiming to be an ED officer.

She was allegedly told that her bank accounts were linked to a terror-funding probe and was sent forged ED notices and documents to support the claim via WhatsApp, said police, adding that the fraudsters also dragged the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the narrative.