Alwar: A shocking case of cyber fraud through a so-called ‘digital arrest’ has surfaced in Rajasthan’s Khairthal-Tijara district. A man from the Mundawar area was allegedly duped of ₹10 lakh after a fraudster, appearing in a police uniform during a video call, claimed to be an IPS officer from Delhi. The accused allegedly told the victim that a fake SIM card and bank account had been opened using his Aadhaar details and that the account was linked to a ₹6.80 crore fraud case. Threatening him with arrest and imprisonment, the fraudster allegedly forced him to transfer ₹10 lakh through RTGS.
The fraud did not stop there. When the accused demanded more money, the victim began arranging additional funds by taking jewellery worth around ₹15-20 lakh from his home to sell. Police received information about the situation and intercepted him before the jewellery could be sold. After counselling him, the police explained that he had fallen victim to a cyber fraud. His family was subsequently called and the jewellery was secured.
According to police, Mundawar resident Deshram received a video call on August 4. The caller was wearing a police uniform and introduced himself as an IPS officer from Delhi. He allegedly identified himself as Sunil Kumar Gautam and told Deshram that someone had used his Aadhaar details to obtain a fraudulent SIM card and bank account.
The fraudster then allegedly claimed that the bank account had been used in a ₹6.80 crore financial fraud. He threatened Deshram with arrest and told him that he could face up to three years in prison. By repeatedly creating fear and pressure, the accused allegedly convinced the victim that he had become involved in a serious criminal case. The police uniform and video call were reportedly used to make the impersonation appear genuine.
The accused allegedly assured Deshram that he could avoid legal action if he followed the instructions given during the call. Under fear and psychological pressure, Deshram transferred ₹10 lakh through RTGS from a State Bank of India branch in Khairthal on August 11 to an account specified by the fraudster.
The following day, the accused allegedly demanded more money. Since Deshram did not have sufficient cash immediately available, he took jewellery from his home and travelled to Khairthal with the intention of selling it and arranging the additional payment demanded by the fraudster. The jewellery was estimated to be worth ₹15-20 lakh.
Police intervened after receiving information about the situation. Officers stopped Deshram and spent considerable time counselling him. He was informed that genuine police officers do not conduct arrests through video calls or demand money to prevent legal action. His family members were called to the police station, and the jewellery was secured. He was also advised not to transfer any further money to the fraudsters.
A case has been registered and an investigation is underway. Investigators are examining the bank accounts into which the ₹10 lakh was transferred. They are also working to identify the people involved, trace the mobile numbers and video calls used in the fraud and establish the possible flow of the money. Police are also examining how the fraudsters obtained the victim’s Aadhaar-related information.
The incident comes amid a growing number of digital arrest scams being reported in Rajasthan. Just a day earlier, a 90-year-old retired district judge in Jaipur was allegedly defrauded of around ₹2.50 crore by criminals posing as officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Reserve Bank of India. The fraudsters reportedly kept him under psychological pressure for around 15 days through repeated video and WhatsApp calls and persuaded him to transfer money into multiple bank accounts.
In a digital arrest scam, criminals typically impersonate officials from the police, CBI, RBI, Enforcement Directorate or other government agencies. They falsely accuse victims of being involved in a criminal case and threaten them with arrest or imprisonment. Fraudsters often use police uniforms, forged identification documents, government-style backgrounds and video calls to make their claims appear credible.
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said such fraudsters primarily exploit fear and pressure victims into making hurried financial decisions. Government agencies do not conduct digital arrests through video calls or instruct people to deposit money into bank accounts to avoid arrest. People receiving such calls should not panic or transfer money and should immediately report the incident to the police or appropriate cybercrime authorities.
People should also avoid sharing Aadhaar details, banking information, OTPs or other financial credentials with unknown callers. If someone claiming to be a government official demands money, the claim should be independently verified through official channels. Immediate reporting after a cyber fraud can also improve the chances of tracing or stopping the movement of the stolen funds.
