Gwalior: Police in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior have arrested Uday Raj Vinagya, the alleged kingpin of a cyber fraud racket that cheated a Ramakrishna Ashram secretary of ₹2.52 crore by threatening him with a so-called “digital arrest”. The accused was produced before a court on Saturday and sent to one-day police remand, officials said. He will be presented again as the investigation progresses.
The case relates to an incident in March 2025, when the then secretary of the Ramakrishna Ashram was allegedly targeted by cyber fraudsters posing as officials from a central investigating agency. By creating fear of immediate arrest and legal action, the accused forced the victim to transfer large sums of money online.
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Investigators said a substantial portion of the defrauded amount was transferred directly into Vinagya’s bank account. Preliminary scrutiny revealed that more than ₹1.30 crore had been credited to his account alone. Police are now examining transactions linked to other family members, after suspicious fund movements were detected in multiple accounts.
According to officials, Vinagya, a resident of Gwalior, had been absconding for a long time, despite repeated attempts to trace him. The delay in arrest had earlier drawn judicial criticism over the pace of investigation, following which the crime branch intensified efforts and succeeded in tracking him down.
Police records show that the incident took place on March 17, 2025, when the victim received phone calls and online communications from individuals claiming to be investigating officers. The fraudsters alleged that a serious case had been registered against him and that he would be arrested unless he complied with their instructions. To maintain pressure, the victim was kept under continuous virtual surveillance, a tactic commonly described by cybercriminals as “digital arrest”.
So far, 17 other accused linked to the fraud have already been arrested. However, the investigation was considered incomplete in the absence of the principal conspirator. The breakthrough came during interrogation of earlier arrestees, when Vinagya’s brother Karan identified him as the mastermind behind the operation.
During questioning, Karan reportedly told investigators that he himself had transferred ₹1.30 crore to Vinagya’s account on instructions received during the operation. Police have also found indications of large financial transactions involving Vinagya’s mother’s bank account, which are now under scrutiny.
Officials said the focus of the investigation has shifted to mapping the entire network, including bank accounts, properties, digital footprints and possible associates operating in other parts of the country. Cyber experts are analysing call data records, IP addresses and digital transaction trails to determine whether the gang carried out similar frauds elsewhere.
Police said cases of “digital arrest” fraud have seen a sharp rise nationwide, with criminals exploiting public fear of law enforcement agencies. In many cases, victims are coerced into transferring money under the belief that they are dealing with legitimate authorities.
Advising caution, police have urged citizens not to respond to unsolicited calls, video calls or messages from individuals claiming to be officials and demanding money. Authorities reiterated that no law enforcement agency conducts arrests or investigations through video calls or demands payments online.
With the arrest of the alleged kingpin, investigators are hopeful of recovering a portion of the defrauded money and dismantling the wider cyber fraud network. Further arrests are likely as the probe continues, officials said.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
