Comedian Ankita Shrivastav Highlights Growing Threat of Digital Scams

Mon Jun 01 2026 23:11:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Indian stand-up comedian Ankita Shrivastav recounts her harrowing experience with a digital scam, shedding light on the alarming rise of cybercrimes in the country.

In a shocking twist to her career, comedian Ankita Shrivastav was ensnared in a sophisticated scam that left her financially devastated. Speaking out about the incident through a comedy sketch, she reveals how nefarious criminals impersonated police officers to extract money. With over 220 billion rupees lost to digital fraud in India, Shrivastav's story highlights the psychological manipulation behind such crimes, underscoring a growing epidemic as digital literacy struggles to keep pace with internet adoption.

Ankita Shrivastav, a stand-up comedian from Mumbai, found herself on the receiving end of a fraudulent scheme that left her reeling both emotionally and financially. The ordeal began with a misleading phone call claiming that her package contained illegal substances, forcing her into a web of psychological torment.

The scammers, posing as police officers, conducted a mock interrogation via video call, demanding sensitive information while trapping her in a virtual environment that prevented her from contacting anyone outside. For eight grueling hours, she was pressured into authorizing transactions amounting to nearly 900,000 rupees, thus falling victim to an elaborate scheme devised to exploit her fear and trust.

Shrivastav's experience is emblematic of a larger trend in India. According to recent reports, the country witnessed a staggering increase in cybercrime, with losses exceeding 220 billion rupees in just a year. Digital arrests, where scammers impersonate law enforcement to extract money, are increasingly common, leveraging a mixture of authority and emotional coercion.

Despite making numerous trips to report the crime, Shrivastav echoed the frustrations of many victims, finding law enforcement and banks unable to keep pace with the cunning nature of digital scams, which have evolved to exploit modern technology.

In an effort to raise awareness, Shrivastav performed a stand-up routine detailing her harrowing experience, emphasizing that even educated individuals can fall prey to scammers. Experts warn that cyber literacy in India has not matched the rapid expansion of internet access, which has surged to include 86% of households.

The Indian government has initiated various measures to combat these digital crimes, including the establishment of helplines and centers dedicated to cybercrime prevention. Yet, with a growing number of pending cases and rising incidents of fraud, the need for heightened vigilance among citizens has never been more critical.

The situation serves as a sobering reminder: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.