Vijayawada | Bureau Report | November 1, 2025: In a major breakthrough against transnational cybercrime, the Eluru District Police and the Economic Offences and Cyber Crime Wing of the Andhra Pradesh Police have unearthed an international “digital arrest” racket with operational links spanning Cambodia, Nepal, China, the United States, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) and head of the EAGLE unit, Ake Ravi Krishna, said the racket was being operated remotely from Cambodia and Nepal, targeting Indian citizens through sophisticated impersonation techniques.
A team led by Eluru Superintendent of Police (SP) K. Pratap Shiva Kishore has so far arrested 11 individuals in connection with the case, with further arrests expected as the investigation widens.
Victim Confined and Extorted Under Pretext of “Digital Arrest”
According to police, the gang virtually detained a 66-year-old man for 72 hours, claiming he was involved in an international money-laundering case.
The victim, believing he was under digital surveillance by “law enforcement,” was coerced into transferring ₹51.90 lakh in multiple transactions.
The accused posed as officials from central investigative agencies such as the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED), convincing the victim that his bank accounts were under scrutiny for alleged financial irregularities. The man was instructed not to communicate with anyone and to remain visible on a continuous video call — a hallmark tactic of such “digital arrests.”
International Links and Modus Operandi
IGP Ravi Krishna revealed that the operation was part of a wider syndicate spread across Southeast Asia, with call centres in Cambodia and Nepal recruiting Indian nationals.
These recruits were trained to mimic officials, use fake credentials, VoIP calls, and forged government documents to lend credibility to their deception.
The gang operated in a hierarchical structure: handlers based abroad directed local agents in India, who managed money mules and collected funds before routing them through cryptocurrency channels and foreign accounts.
Cash, Devices, and Digital Evidence Seized
At a press conference held at the Andhra Pradesh Police Headquarters in Vijayawada on Saturday, IGP Ravi Krishna and SP Pratap Shiva Kishore displayed seized cash, digital devices, and bank records linked to the racket.
The officials said forensic examination of the recovered gadgets is underway to trace the digital footprints of the syndicate and identify overseas handlers.
Spike in “Digital Arrest” Scams Across India
Police officials noted a sharp surge in digital arrest scams across the country in recent months, often originating from scam hubs in Southeast Asia.
Victims, often elderly or retired professionals, are targeted with threats of legal action and digital surveillance — forcing them to comply under psychological pressure.
IGP Ravi Krishna cautioned citizens:
“No law enforcement agency conducts arrests over phone or video call. If you receive such threats, immediately disconnect and report to the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or visit your nearest police station.”
Cyber Vigilance Intensified
The Andhra Pradesh Police have ramped up their cyber intelligence efforts, integrating with inter-agency and international cybercrime tracking systems.
Authorities are coordinating with Interpol and Indian embassies in Southeast Asia to dismantle the broader network behind such cross-border cyber frauds.
“These are not isolated incidents but part of an organised transnational racket,” IGP Ravi Krishna said. “We are working closely with central agencies to trace the masterminds and bring them to justice.”
