Delhi Police have prevented cybercriminals from siphoning off approximately ₹1.5 crore from five victims across Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat by tracing suspicious bank transactions linked to digital arrest scams.
The operation, carried out by the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit’s Financial Monitoring Cell, helped protect the savings of several elderly victims who had been threatened with arrest by fraudsters impersonating government officials.
The investigation revealed that the accused used fabricated criminal allegations and threats of legal action to pressure victims into transferring money. Four of the five victims were senior citizens living alone, making the intervention particularly significant.
How Did Police Detect the Fraud?
The investigation began after retired military officer Sagar Puri filed an electronic First Information Report (e-FIR) on September 29. He reported that fraudsters posing as officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and a Daryaganj inspector had threatened him with arrest.
The accused allegedly claimed that Puri was involved in a fake money laundering case connected to his Aadhaar card. Using the threat of criminal proceedings, they attempted to force him into transferring substantial sums of money.
Police began tracing the financial transactions associated with the complaint and identified a mule bank account in Hyderabad. Further examination revealed that the same account had received transfers from five other victims between September 21 and September 29.
The discovery enabled investigators to identify additional people who were potentially being targeted by the same network and intervene before more money could be transferred.
How Was a Retired Officer’s Money Protected?
During the investigation, Delhi Police discovered that ₹25 lakh transferred by a 77-year-old retired Airports Authority of India employee from Najafgarh had reached the Hyderabad account on September 29.
Investigators contacted the man to warn him about the suspected fraud. However, he was initially distrustful of the police officers approaching him, creating an additional challenge for the investigating team.
To establish their identity and explain the fraud, officers shared cybercrime awareness videos and asked him to verify their credentials through the national cybercrime helpline.
The intervention helped convince the retired employee that he was dealing with a fraudulent scheme. Police subsequently coordinated with banks and the Dwarka cyber police station to protect his remaining assets.
The case highlighted how fraudsters can create enough fear and confusion that victims may initially struggle to distinguish genuine police assistance from the criminals threatening them.
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How Was a Rajasthan Couple Saved?
In another case, an 80-year-old cloth trader from Rajasthan and his wife were targeted by fraudsters who claimed that the couple’s house was connected to fake Aadhaar-linked illegal activity.
The accused had already persuaded the couple to transfer ₹18 lakh. They were attempting to obtain another ₹10 lakh when police intervened. Investigators contacted the couple and connected them to Rajasthan’s 1930 cybercrime helpline to register an official complaint.
The intervention prevented the additional ₹10 lakh transfer, although the couple had already lost ₹18 lakh before police assistance reached them. The incident showed how criminals can exploit fears surrounding identity documents and alleged criminal investigations to pressure victims into making repeated payments.
What Happened to the Other Victims?
Police also identified a retired couple who had paid ₹52 lakh after being told that their Aadhaar card was linked to a blast in Jammu and Kashmir.
The allegation was used to frighten the couple into believing that they were facing serious criminal consequences. The fraudsters allegedly used this claim to persuade them to part with their money. Another victim, a hospital assistant from Maharashtra, was allegedly swindled out of ₹85 lakh during a digital arrest scam that continued for 15 days.
These cases illustrate how digital arrest fraud can extend beyond a single threatening telephone call. Criminals may maintain pressure over several days, repeatedly invoking serious offences and impersonating authorities to keep victims frightened and compliant. The victims were spread across multiple states, but the financial investigation identified connections through suspicious banking transactions.
How Did Police Trace the Money?
The IFSO Financial Monitoring Cell focused on identifying suspicious transfers and following the movement of money through bank accounts.
The Hyderabad mule account emerged as an important link in the investigation because it had received funds from several victims over a relatively short period.
By examining these transactions, investigators were able to identify individuals who had been subjected to digital arrest threats and contact them directly.
The operation also required coordination with banks and police units in different jurisdictions. In the Najafgarh case, cooperation with the Dwarka cyber police station helped protect the victim’s remaining assets, while the Rajasthan couple were directed to the state’s cybercrime reporting mechanism.
Police reported that their intervention prevented approximately ₹1.5 crore from being siphoned off across the five states. The individual amounts already transferred by victims should not be confused with the total amount the police reported saving.
The420 Insight: Following the Money Can Stop a Digital Arrest Scam
The Delhi Police operation highlights the importance of acting before fraudsters complete their transactions. Investigators connected victims across five states through suspicious banking activity and prevented further financial losses. The cases also demonstrate how criminals exploit fear of arrest and misuse the identities of government agencies to obtain money. Early detection, verification of police credentials and timely reporting through the 1930 cybercrime helpline can help interrupt these schemes before more funds are transferred.
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