In a major breakthrough in the ₹1.71 crore ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraud case, Surat cybercrime police have arrested Shankar Chaudhary (37), who had been on the run for nearly a year, at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The accused was intercepted just before he could board an international flight to Russia, where he was allegedly planning to relocate to evade arrest.
According to investigators, Chaudhary played a crucial role in the cyber fraud network by arranging mule bank accounts, which were used to siphon off money defrauded from victims. His arrest marks a significant development in the case, which involves a sophisticated scam targeting senior citizens through impersonation of law enforcement and regulatory authorities.
The case dates back to December 2024, when a senior citizen in Surat was contacted by cyber fraudsters posing as officials from central investigative and financial agencies. The victim was falsely informed that a SIM card and bank account allegedly linked to his Aadhaar were being used in a money-laundering case. He was threatened with arrest and legal consequences unless he cooperated.
Investigators said the fraudsters placed the victim under what they termed a “digital arrest”, restricting his communication and movement by keeping him under constant virtual surveillance through calls and messages. To intensify the pressure, the accused sent forged letters purportedly issued by the CBI and the RBI, creating an atmosphere of fear and urgency.
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Under sustained intimidation, the victim was coerced into transferring a total of ₹1.71 crore in multiple transactions. The money was routed through several bank accounts to obscure the trail and delay detection. Police said the transactions were structured in a manner designed to evade immediate scrutiny by financial institutions.
During the investigation, Chaudhary emerged as a key facilitator who allegedly supplied mule accounts—bank accounts opened or operated in the names of individuals who allowed their accounts to be used in exchange for commissions. These accounts were used to receive, withdraw and further transfer the fraud proceeds, making it difficult to trace the final beneficiaries.
Police said Chaudhary had been absconding since early 2025, after his role surfaced during the probe. Despite sustained surveillance, he managed to evade arrest by frequently changing locations. Recently, he began exploring options to settle abroad and obtained a Russian visa through an agent. Unaware that a Look Out Circular (LOC) had been issued against him, he attempted to leave the country, leading to his arrest at the airport.
Further investigation revealed that Chaudhary had earlier travelled to Dubai along with co-accused Rameshwar Suthar, where he allegedly established links with an international cybercrime syndicate. After returning to India, he is believed to have facilitated mule accounts for the network in exchange for commissions.
So far, five other accused — Mukesh Patel, Mehul Patel, Dungarsinh Rajput, Kesarsinh Devda and Rameshwar Suthar — have already been arrested in the case. Shankar Chaudhary is the sixth accused to be taken into custody.
Following his arrest, Chaudhary was produced before a court, which granted three days of police custody. Investigators said the remand will be used to question him about the structure of the cybercrime network, the number of mule accounts arranged, and the final destination of the defrauded money.
Cybercrime investigators noted that ‘digital arrest’ scams are increasingly being reported across the country, with fraudsters exploiting fear of law enforcement action to extract large sums, particularly from elderly victims. Such scams typically involve impersonation, forged documents and psychological pressure rather than direct hacking.
Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and not panic in response to unsolicited calls claiming to be from investigative or regulatory agencies. Officials stressed that no government agency conducts arrests or investigations over video calls or demands money transfers. Citizens have been advised to verify such claims directly with concerned authorities and report suspicious communications immediately.
Investigators said efforts are ongoing to identify other members of the network, trace the money trail and prevent further incidents linked to the syndicate. Further arrests have not been ruled out as the probe continues.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
