A retired factory employee was allegedly cheated of nearly ₹63 lakh in a “digital arrest” cyber fraud after scammers posing as officials threatened him and pressured him into transferring money. Dewas Police later traced the alleged network across several states and arrested 12 suspected cyber fraudsters from 17 states as part of a 127-day investigation. The victim, Suresh Ingale, approached Cyber Helpline 1930 after losing the money. According to the complaint, the fraud began in March 2026 when people contacted him through phone and video calls while posing as officials from the Customs Department, Mumbai Crime Branch and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The callers allegedly claimed that a case had been registered against him and threatened him with arrest. Under sustained pressure, Ingale transferred money into different bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
₹63 Lakh Transferred After Threats From Fake Officials
Police said the victim was subjected to a digital arrest scam in which the fraudsters used the names of government and investigative agencies to create fear and convince him that he was facing legal action.
For nearly eight days, the accused allegedly obtained information about the victim’s bank accounts and investments. They then instructed him to transfer money from different accounts in the name of an investigation.
Ingale filed a complaint on April 3 after realising that he had been cheated. Dewas Police registered an FIR on April 4 and began investigating the financial and digital trail connected with the transactions.
The investigation continued for 127 days. Police said the operation involved around 70 personnel working in different teams to trace the suspects and follow the movement of money through multiple bank accounts.
Police Trace Network Across 17 States
Superintendent of Police Puneet Gehlod said investigators examined several bank accounts, mobile numbers and money transactions during the probe. Technical analysis led police to an alleged cyber fraud network spread across multiple parts of the country.
Police teams travelled around 58,000 kilometres and conducted searches in 33 districts across 17 states before arresting 12 alleged cyber fraudsters.
The operation covered states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Bihar, as well as Delhi. Police said 11 of the 12 accused were sent to jail, while one accused from West Bengal was being questioned.
Investigators also recovered 54 mobile phones and 84 SIM cards from the accused, according to the report.
Police are examining the roles played by the arrested individuals, including the bank accounts and communication channels allegedly used to receive and move fraud proceeds.
Police Warn Public That ‘Digital Arrest’ Does Not Exist
Police have urged people not to panic if someone claiming to be a police officer or investigative agency official contacts them through a video call or telephone and demands money.
SP Puneet Gehlod stressed that there is no legitimate procedure called “digital arrest”. People receiving such calls should not transfer money under pressure and should independently verify claims made by callers posing as government officials.
Police advised victims of suspected cyber fraud to immediately report the matter through Cyber Helpline 1930.
The case illustrates how digital arrest scams use impersonation, threats and prolonged psychological pressure to convince victims that they are under official investigation. In this case, police said the investigation eventually led them across 17 states as they traced bank accounts, mobile numbers and transactions linked to the alleged fraud network.
