Kolkata: Kolkata Police have arrested two men from Haryana in connection with an alleged ₹3.7 crore digital arrest cyber fraud in which an elderly woman from Kolkata was reportedly duped after fraudsters impersonated police officers and subjected her to a fake digital investigation. Investigators identified the accused as Deepak Tewatia and Akhil Bansiyal, who were arrested in Haryana following an extensive financial and digital investigation. Police said approximately ₹45 lakh of the defrauded amount was traced through bank accounts linked to the accused. Both suspects were produced before the Bankshall Court, which remanded them to police custody until August 7, while investigators continue efforts to identify other members of the organised cyber fraud syndicate.
According to investigators, the case originated from a complaint lodged with the Kolkata Police Cyber Cell in November 2024 after the victim alleged that unknown callers, posing as police officials, contacted her and falsely accused her of being involved in serious criminal activities. The fraudsters allegedly threatened immediate legal action, arrest, and prosecution unless she cooperated with their so-called investigation.
Police said the accused allegedly kept the victim under a fabricated “digital arrest,” preventing her from independently verifying the claims or contacting family members. During the prolonged interaction, the fraudsters reportedly convinced her that her bank accounts were under investigation and instructed her to transfer money to designated accounts for purported verification and security purposes. Believing the threats to be genuine, the elderly woman allegedly transferred around ₹3.7 crore through multiple financial transactions.
Investigators launched a detailed probe by examining banking records, mobile communications, digital payment trails, and technical evidence associated with the fraudulent transactions. During the investigation, cybercrime officers traced approximately ₹45 lakh that had allegedly passed through bank accounts linked to the two accused. The financial trail eventually led investigators to Haryana, where coordinated operations resulted in the arrest of Deepak Tewatia and Akhil Bansiyal.
Police said preliminary interrogation has focused on identifying the complete network involved in the fraud, including the individuals responsible for impersonating law enforcement officers, operating beneficiary bank accounts, and laundering the stolen funds. Digital devices, mobile phones, financial records, internet protocol logs, and banking transactions are being analysed to establish the full money trail and identify additional suspects who may have participated in the organised cybercrime operation.
Investigators believe the case may have links to a larger interstate cyber fraud syndicate specialising in digital arrest scams, a rapidly growing form of social engineering fraud in which criminals impersonate police officers, central investigative agencies, or regulatory authorities to intimidate victims into transferring large sums of money. Authorities are also examining whether similar methods were used in other complaints reported across different states.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said digital arrest scams have emerged as one of the most dangerous forms of cyber-enabled financial crime because fraudsters exploit fear, authority, and psychological pressure to isolate victims and force immediate financial decisions. He advised citizens to remember that no legitimate law enforcement agency conducts arrests, investigations, or financial verification through video calls or demands money transfers to “safe” accounts. He urged people receiving such calls to immediately disconnect, independently verify the claims through official channels, and promptly report suspicious incidents to the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, as swift reporting significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests are expected as investigators continue analysing digital evidence and financial records. Authorities have appealed to the public to remain cautious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from police or government agencies, verify the identity of callers before acting on any financial instructions, and immediately report suspected cyber fraud to law enforcement agencies to prevent further financial losses.
