An Indian-origin man living in Sydney has been reportedly scammed out of almost $76,000 in a sophisticated digital fraud that impersonated law enforcement officials, police say.
The case is now under investigation by the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Department in India.
As per India Today, the scam came to light after the man’s father, who still lives in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, noticed unauthorised withdrawals from his son’s bank accounts and lodged a complaint.
Indian authorities warn that NRIs are increasingly being targeted by fraudsters using intimidation and false claims of criminal activity.
Police say the victim received a WhatsApp call in late August 2025 from an Indian number. The caller claimed to be an officer from Mumbai’s Crime Branch and alleged that suspicious transactions linked to “anti-national activities” had been conducted using the man’s accounts.
To heighten the pressure, as per reports, the scammers allegedly kept the victim under continuous video surveillance and instructed him not to meet or speak with anyone. They warned that failure to comply could result in arrest by Australian authorities or detention if he returned to India.
Under their instructions, the man bought a new phone and SIM card, which allowed the fraudsters to access his devices remotely. They then extracted banking information and withdrew AUD 25,000 (roughly INR14 lakh) from his Australian account. The fraud later extended to India, where $54,000 (roughly INR34 lakh) was reportedly taken from a fixed deposit in Ahmedabad.
Throughout the ordeal, the perpetrators allegedly reassured the victim that the money would be returned. After nearly a month of intimidation, he contacted the Australian Cyber Security Centre, while his father reported the missing funds to Indian authorities.
Investigations are ongoing in both countries. Police are urging Australians, particularly those living overseas, to be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from law enforcement and to never share personal or banking details.
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