Indian Instagram influencer Ankush Bahuguna recently revealed his harrowing experience of being virtually held hostage by scammers for over 40 hours. The influencer shared that he fell prey to a “digital arrest” scam, which caused him to isolate himself and lose both money and peace of mind.
Bahuguna received an automated call claiming his courier contained illegal items. The scammers posed as law enforcement officials, accusing him of crimes like drug trafficking and money laundering. They convinced him his loved ones were in danger and forced him to stay disconnected from the outside world.
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Under immense pressure, the influencer was coerced into providing personal details and making suspicious transactions. He was even instructed to follow strict commands, including positioning himself in front of a camera throughout the ordeal.
Thankfully, the quick actions of his friends helped him escape the situation. Noticing his unusual behavior, they intervened and uncovered the scam. Bahuguna has since shared his story as a warning to others about falling victim to similar schemes.
The influencer is now recovering and using the incident to raise awareness about the dangers of such scams. He urged others to be cautious when responding to unknown calls.
