Ahmedabad has uncovered a major cyber fraud network in which a victim was duped of ₹2.27 crore under the pretext of a so-called “digital arrest.” Four accused have been arrested from different states for allegedly impersonating government officials and coercing victims into transferring money through video calls.
Investigations revealed that the accused posed as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and the Mumbai Crime Branch to establish credibility. They contacted the victim via platforms like WhatsApp and Signal, using video calls to project authority and falsely claimed to be IPS officers, threatening involvement in a money laundering case.
The ‘digital arrest’ trap
The accused convinced the victim that a serious investigation was underway and that he could be immediately placed under “digital arrest.” Exploiting fear and urgency, they forced the victim to transfer ₹2.27 crore into multiple bank accounts.
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Experts have clarified that “digital arrest” has no legal basis and is purely a psychological tactic used by cybercriminals to intimidate victims. Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said such scams rely heavily on social engineering. “Cybercriminals create mental pressure and urgency to force victims into making quick decisions. Terms like ‘digital arrest’ are designed to sound official and intimidating,” he noted.
Money trail spread across states
The investigation found that the defrauded money was routed through a network of bank accounts spanning multiple states. Initially, funds were deposited into accounts in Bihar and Ambala in Haryana, and later transferred through a network linked to West Bengal.
Based on technical analysis and financial trail mapping, multiple teams conducted coordinated operations across states and arrested four accused. They have been identified as Bhupendranath Sarkar (42), Shubham Singhal (32), Sanjay Kumar Singh (34), and Sonu Kumar (28).
Fake identities and encrypted apps
The accused used messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Signal to conceal their identities and operate anonymously. During video calls, they allegedly used fake identification and adopted the tone and language of government officials to gain the victim’s trust.
Investigators also found that members of the gang were technically skilled and capable of masking their locations and identities using digital tools.
Public advisory and helpline
Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant against such scams. People have been warned not to trust unsolicited calls or video calls from individuals claiming to be officials from agencies such as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, ED, CBI, or RBI.
Citizens have been advised to avoid clicking on suspicious links, especially APK files, and to enable two-factor authentication on their social media accounts.
Victims of cyber fraud are encouraged to immediately report incidents by calling the national helpline 1930 or visiting the nearest cybercrime police station. Authorities have assured that complainants’ identities will be kept confidential in sensitive cases.
Probe continues
Further investigation is underway to identify other members of the network and trace additional financial links. Officials suspect that the gang may be involved in similar fraud cases across multiple states.
The case highlights how cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging technology and psychological manipulation to execute large-scale frauds. As digital transactions grow, vigilance remains the most effective defense against such evolving threats.
