Cyber Crime
Cybercrime Alert: Digital Arrest Scam Busted by Uttarakhand STF, Rs 45.4 Lakh Recovered
The Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) has successfully arrested the mastermind behind a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate that duped a victim of Rs 45.4 lakh under the guise of a “digital arrest.” The accused was apprehended in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Here’s a detailed account of the case under relevant heads.
Case Brief
In July 2024, a Kashipur resident lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police Station, Kumaon Region, alleging that they had been defrauded of Rs 45.4 lakh. The victim, Taruna Gaba, received a phone call from an imposter posing as an official from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller falsely claimed that her Aadhaar card and mobile number were involved in money laundering and a Rs 20-crore hawala scam. The fraudsters, posing as officials from Mumbai Police Crime Branch, coerced her into transferring money under the pretense of verifying her innocence.
The victim was kept in “digital arrest” for over 36 hours and manipulated into transferring the money through RTGS to the accounts provided by the fraudsters.
Modus Operandi
The accused used a meticulously planned strategy to execute the fraud:
- Fake Authority Calls: Impersonated officials from TRAI, Mumbai Crime Branch, and other enforcement agencies, using WhatsApp voice and video calls.
- Digital Arrest: Created a scenario of digital detention, claiming the victim was under police investigation and forbidding her from contacting anyone.
- Fake Documentation: Sent forged documents, including an FIR copy, Supreme Court rulings, and bank statements, to lend credibility to the scam.
- Threat and Isolation: Isolated the victim, instructing her to remain in a separate room and comply with their instructions to avoid immediate arrest.
- Fraudulent Transfers: Collected bank details and coerced the victim into transferring Rs 45.4 lakh to bank accounts opened in the names of fake firms.
- Use of Third-Party Accounts: Utilized commission-based accounts and internet banking kits to launder the defrauded money.
Arrest & Seizure
The STF Cyber Crime Police traced the prime accused, a 29 years old, to Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. After a series of raids and technical investigations, he was apprehended. The seizure included:
- 1 Mobile Phone: Used for WhatsApp calls and video calls.
- 2 SIM Cards: Connected to the fraudulent activity.
- 1 PNB Chequebook: Linked to accounts used for laundering the stolen money.
The investigation revealed that the accused had been involved in multiple cases across India, with transactions amounting to crores of rupees over several months.
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Team Led By
The case was handled under the supervision of Navneet Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police (STF), Uttarakhand, who provided specific directives for the swift resolution of the case. The team included Inspector, Sub-Inspector, Head Constables and a technical team.
Police Station Name
The investigation and arrest were carried out by the Cyber Crime Police Station, Kumaon Region, under the Uttarakhand STF.
The Uttarakhand Police has cautioned citizens against falling prey to such scams. Authorities emphasized that no government agency conducts “digital arrests” or demands money via WhatsApp or other platforms. Citizens are urged to report suspicious calls or messages immediately to the Cybercrime Helpline (1930) or via the cybercrime.gov.in portal.
