Srinagar: In a major crackdown on cyber fraud being carried out under the guise of ‘digital arrest’, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth ₹16.86 lakh in Kashmir. The amount was traced to a bank account allegedly linked to a larger cyber fraud network. The case once again highlights how criminals are exploiting fear and impersonating government agencies to extort money from unsuspecting citizens.
According to the investigation, the case involves an organised cyber fraud syndicate, with accused Gaurav Kumar, Gurpreet Singh and Ujwal Chauhan, along with several others, allegedly playing key roles. They are accused of executing a well-planned scheme by threatening the victim with a so-called ‘digital arrest’ and coercing him into transferring a large sum of money.
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As per ED’s action, ₹16,86,465 has been identified as “proceeds of crime” and attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The amount was found in a bank account operated under the name “M/s Jeevika Foundations” in Karol Bagh, New Delhi. Investigators believe this account functioned as a conduit for receiving and routing the defrauded money.
The case originated from an FIR registered in October 2024, where the victim alleged that he was contacted through phone calls and digital platforms and falsely informed that he was implicated in a money laundering case. The accused impersonated officials from reputed agencies like TRAI and CBI, gaining the victim’s trust before threatening him with arrest under the pretext of ‘digital detention’.
Investigations revealed that the accused subjected the victim to intense psychological pressure, forcing him to liquidate his fixed deposits and transfer a total of ₹21 lakh to the account provided by them. Subsequently, ₹4.13 lakh was refunded to the victim following a court order, while the remaining ₹16.86 lakh, which was traced in the account, has now been attached.
One of the most alarming aspects of the case is the deliberate use of psychological manipulation. The victim was made to believe that he was involved in a serious national security-related offence and that immediate compliance was necessary to avoid arrest. Under fear and urgency, he transferred the funds without verifying the authenticity of the claims.
Cyber experts warn that such ‘digital arrest’ scams are emerging rapidly, where fraudsters misuse the identity of law enforcement and regulatory bodies. Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said, “Cyber criminals are increasingly combining technology with aggressive social engineering tactics. They create fear and urgency in the victim’s mind, impairing decision-making and leading to hasty financial actions.”
Investigating agencies suspect that this is not an isolated incident but part of a larger nationwide network involved in similar frauds. Efforts are underway to identify other individuals connected to the racket and to uncover the full extent of its operations.
Further investigation is ongoing, and more revelations are expected in the coming days as agencies continue to probe deeper into the network.
