The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch has busted a “digital arrest” cyber fraud operation in Jammu, managing to secure Rs 39.90 lakh of the defrauded amount following rapid financial tracking and inter-bank coordination, officials said on Sunday.
The case came to light after a retired Indian Air Force officer lodged an online complaint on February 6, reporting that he had been placed under so-called “digital arrest” for nine days and cheated of Rs 52.90 lakh by fraudsters impersonating law enforcement personnel.
Acting on the complaint, the Crime Branch’s CICE police station immediately launched a financial investigation, tracing beneficiary accounts and tracking the movement of funds across multiple banking layers.
Officials said that within three hours of receiving the complaint, investigators identified Rs 11.90 lakh parked in a suspected Yes Bank account in Jodhpur, which was promptly frozen by invoking the newly notified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). A lien of Rs 4.90 lakh was also marked in connected accounts during the initial phase of the probe.
Further coordination with concerned banks led to the detection of another Rs 28 lakh in second-layer beneficiary accounts. In total, Rs 39,90,482 of the stolen money was successfully secured, providing significant relief to the victim and his family.
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Authorities confirmed that the recovered funds will be remitted back to the complainant’s account through the court after completion of formal legal procedures.
Police officials said this marks the first operational use of the newly introduced SOP by Police Station CICE Jammu in an active cyber fraud investigation, demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing the rapid dissipation of illicit funds in digitally enabled crimes.
According to investigators, the fraudsters used intimidation tactics commonly seen in “digital arrest” scams, where victims are falsely told they are under investigation and threatened with legal action unless they comply with monetary demands. The retired officer was allegedly kept under constant virtual monitoring and instructed not to contact family members or authorities during the nine-day period.
The operation was led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Albeena Malik, who is also SHO of PS CICE Jammu, with assistance from Inspector Pradeep Singh and Head Constable Rakesh Choudhary. The action was carried out under the overall supervision of senior Crime Branch officers.
Cyber crime specialists involved in the case said such scams rely heavily on psychological pressure, fake legal claims and rapid fund transfers across layered accounts to evade detection. They added that timely reporting by victims plays a critical role in enabling authorities to freeze proceeds before they are withdrawn or laundered further.
Police reiterated their advisory to the public, stressing that law enforcement agencies do not place individuals under “digital arrest” or demand money over phone or video calls. Citizens have been urged to treat such communications as fraudulent and report them immediately to the national cyber crime helpline or the nearest police station.
Investigators are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the racket, while also examining digital evidence and bank records to map the broader network involved.
Officials said the case underscores the importance of swift inter-agency coordination and real-time banking support in tackling cyber-enabled financial crimes, even as authorities step up awareness campaigns to prevent more people from falling prey to similar scams.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
