New Delhi | A well-organized cyber fraud racket operating under the guise of ‘digital arrest’ has been busted in the national capital. The accused allegedly impersonated police officials, threatened a victim with a money laundering case, and extorted ₹14.20 lakh. Investigators have found that bank accounts linked to the racket saw transactions worth nearly ₹2.20 crore. Three accused have been arrested, while efforts are on to trace other members of the network.
The case came to light on February 21, when West Vihar resident Satyapal Gupta received a WhatsApp call from an unknown number. The caller introduced himself as a senior police officer and claimed that Gupta’s bank account was involved in illegal financial transactions. He further warned that a money laundering case had been registered against him and that he would be arrested soon.
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Alarmed by the sudden threat of legal action, the victim panicked. The fraudsters exploited this fear and instructed him to transfer money to a specified bank account. Under pressure, Gupta transferred ₹14.20 lakh. It was only later that he realized he had been duped, following which he lodged a complaint.
During the investigation, authorities traced the bank account where the money had been transferred. The account was registered under the name “Renudar Services and Solutions Private Limited.” Technical analysis of linked mobile numbers, email IDs, and digital trails provided crucial leads, exposing the structure of the racket.
Subsequently, Sashinder Ram, the director of the company and the account holder, was arrested. During interrogation, he admitted that he knowingly allowed his bank account to be used for cyber fraud activities in exchange for a commission. The account served as a key channel for routing and transferring illicit funds.
Based on his disclosures, two more accused—Mohammad Kaif and Monish—were arrested from Kairana and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Investigations revealed that they were involved in opening fake or suspicious bank accounts across multiple banks. These accounts were then used to facilitate transactions in similar cyber fraud cases.
Three Android mobile phones were recovered from the accused. WhatsApp chats, call records, and other digital evidence extracted from these devices confirmed that the group operated as a structured network. Each member had a defined role—some handled calls to intimidate victims, while others managed bank accounts and financial transactions.
Preliminary findings suggest that the network may not be limited to a single city. Investigators suspect links to other states and possibly international cybercrime syndicates. A deeper probe into financial transactions is underway, and efforts are being made to identify additional suspects.
Cybersecurity experts note that in ‘digital arrest’ scams, fraudsters often impersonate officials from law enforcement or investigative agencies to create fear and urgency. Victims are pressured into transferring money without verification.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said, “Cyber criminals use social engineering to instill fear and urgency in victims. Under psychological pressure, people tend to transfer money without proper verification, which becomes the biggest advantage for these fraudsters.”
Following the incident, citizens have been advised to remain vigilant. People should avoid trusting unknown calls or messages, especially when someone claims to be a police or government official and tries to intimidate them. In such situations, they should immediately contact the official helpline 1930 or report the matter to the nearest police station to prevent financial loss.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
