YouTuber Ankush Bahuguna recently shared a harrowing experience on Instagram, revealing how he became a victim of a 40-hour digital arrest scam. After a three-day absence from social media, Bahuguna described how scammers held him hostage, causing him financial loss and significant mental distress. “I have been missing from social media and everywhere for the last three days, I was held hostage by some scammers for 40 hours… I have lost money, I have lost my mental health to this, I can’t believe this has happened to me,” Bahuguna said in an Instagram post.
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The big mistake he made
Bahuguna explained he received an automated international call (+1 prefix) claiming a cancelled courier delivery. “It seemed like an international number. I picked it up without thinking much. It was an automated call that said your courier delivery had been cancelled. Press zero for support,” he explained. Pressing zero connected him to someone who alleged his name was linked to a package containing illegal items seized by customs, supposedly destined for China. Despite denying any involvement, the scammers insisted his Aadhar number and personal details were connected, placing him under “digital arrest.”
Linked to money laundering, drug trafficking and other serious crimes
The situation escalated rapidly. The scammers accused Bahuguna of money laundering, drug trafficking, and other serious crimes, claiming he was a “prime suspect” in a “national case” with an active arrest warrant. “I was then told I don’t have enough time to go to the police station and he will do me a favour by connecting directly to the police station,” Bahuguna explained.They then transferred him to a WhatsApp video call with someone posing as a police officer in uniform, further intensifying his panic.
Isolating him from the outside world, the scammers instructed Bahuguna to cut off all communication and turn off his devices. They extracted personal information and placed him under “self-custody,” keeping him on a continuous video call for 40 hours, preventing him from contacting anyone. They even directed him to a bank for suspicious transactions, which thankfully failed due to the branch being closed. It was only when a friend contacted him, suspecting fraud, that Bahuguna realized he had been scammed.
“Not everybody reacts the same way to panic”
Bahuguna shared his story to raise awareness and prevent others from experiencing similar ordeals. He emphasized the importance of understanding how panic can affect individuals differently and urged against judging victims. He also stressed the increasing prevalence of such scams and the need for vigilance against unexpected calls or messages, especially those involving threats or accusations of illegal activity. “Not everybody reacts the same way to panic. Instead of calling this stupid, make people around you aware of it,” he said in a follow-up comment.
This incident highlights the sophisticated tactics used in digital scams, including exploiting personal information, psychological manipulation, and creating a sense of urgency and fear. The rise of digital platforms has unfortunately made it easier for scammers to target individuals, underscoring the importance of public awareness and caution. Bahuguna’s experience serves as a crucial reminder to stay informed and protect oneself from these increasingly common schemes.
