Delhi Police have arrested two men in connection with a massive “digital arrest” cyber fraud racket that allegedly duped victims of over Rs 100 crore, officials said on Monday. The operation is linked to at least 190 complaints registered across the country, marking one of the larger organised scams uncovered in recent months.
The accused have been identified as Anish Singh and Mani Singh, who investigators say played a key role in impersonating law enforcement officials and coercing victims into transferring large sums of money under threat of arrest.
The arrests followed a complaint by a homemaker who told police she was kept under what the accused described as “digital surveillance” for nearly three months. During this period, she was allegedly instructed to remain constantly available on calls and provide daily updates to the fraudsters, who claimed to be cyber crime officers.
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According to investigators, the woman was first contacted between October 15 and December 12 last year by multiple callers posing as Mumbai Police cyber crime personnel. She was falsely accused of being involved in criminal activities using her Aadhaar credentials and warned that immediate arrest proceedings had been initiated against her.
To heighten fear, the callers allegedly showed forged FIRs and arrest warrants during video calls and claimed that police personnel had already been deployed outside her residence. The victim was also threatened that her husband and son would be implicated if she spoke to anyone or approached authorities.
Under sustained psychological pressure, the woman allegedly transferred nearly Rs 40 lakh to bank accounts shared by the accused. She was instructed to delete call logs, transaction records and other digital traces after every payment. The fraudsters reportedly assured her that the money would be “verified” and refunded once her innocence was established.
An electronic FIR was subsequently registered, prompting a detailed financial trail analysis by the cyber crime unit. Investigators traced the flow of funds to M/s Vrindakart Skyline Shoppers Private Limited, a company registered in West Delhi. Records showed Anish Singh and Mani Singh listed as joint directors.
Police said the duo had opened at least eight bank accounts across different banks in the company’s name, using them to route defrauded money through layered transactions to evade detection.
Officials added that the broader racket appears to involve several associates operating from different locations, with victims contacted through coordinated call centres and encrypted platforms. The modus operandi included impersonation, document forgery, emotional manipulation and structured laundering of proceeds through shell entities.
Government data accessed during the investigation indicates that total transactions linked to the scam exceed Rs 100 crore, with complaints emerging from multiple states.
Authorities believe the arrested men were responsible for managing the financial backend of the operation, including setting up accounts, moving funds and facilitating withdrawals. Further arrests are likely as investigators expand the probe to identify other handlers, callers and technical facilitators involved in the network.
Cyber crime officials have urged the public to remain alert against such “digital arrest” scams, stressing that law enforcement agencies do not conduct arrests over video calls or demand money for case clearance. Citizens have been advised to immediately report suspicious calls and messages to the national cyber crime helpline.
The accused have been remanded to custody, and police said efforts are underway to recover diverted funds and dismantle the remaining infrastructure of the fraud syndicate.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
