Noida police have dismantled a major cyber fraud racket involving a “digital arrest” scam, in which criminals impersonated officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to extort ₹2.10 crore from a victim through fear, intimidation, and forged legal documents. The case has exposed a highly organized interstate cybercrime network operating through layered financial channels and fake identities.
In a key breakthrough, a 26-year-old man from Charkhi Dadri in Haryana has been arrested for allegedly working as a mule account operator in the financial chain of the cyber fraud syndicate. Investigators said his role involved providing and managing bank accounts used to receive and circulate illegally obtained funds, helping conceal the money trail and delay detection.
According to police officials, the fraud began on April 10, 2026, when a resident of Noida received a phone call from individuals posing as NIA officers. The callers falsely claimed that bank accounts linked to the victim’s Aadhaar details were involved in terror financing activities and warned that immediate arrest proceedings had been initiated.
To make the deception more convincing, the fraudsters sent fabricated documents through WhatsApp, including fake Reserve Bank of India (RBI) letters and forged arrest warrants. The victim was further instructed that he was under “digital arrest” and strictly warned not to contact anyone during the so-called investigation.
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Under continuous psychological pressure, fear of arrest, and complete isolation, the victim was coerced into transferring a total of ₹2.10 crore into multiple bank accounts controlled by the gang. The funds were then systematically broken into multiple transactions and routed through different accounts to obscure the financial trail.
During the investigation, cyber cell teams analyzed mobile records, digital communication logs, and detailed banking transaction data. These technical inputs helped trace the flow of money and eventually led to the identification and arrest of the accused. Police confirmed that approximately ₹2.20 lakh linked to the fraud had been deposited into his account, establishing his role in the laundering chain.
Officials clarified that the arrested man is not the mastermind but a part of a wider organized network. Such networks typically recruit individuals as mule account holders, offering commissions in exchange for access to bank accounts that are later used to route proceeds of cyber fraud.
Preliminary findings further revealed that multiple complaints have been registered against accounts linked to this network across several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. This points to a well-coordinated interstate cybercrime syndicate operating through shared financial infrastructure.
Police said the gang follows a structured modus operandi involving impersonation of central law enforcement agencies such as NIA, CBI, and ED. Victims are threatened with immediate arrest, seizure of assets, and legal consequences unless they comply with demands for money transfers.
The “digital arrest” scam has emerged as one of the most alarming cybercrime tactics in recent years. Victims are psychologically isolated and made to believe they are under constant surveillance. Fraudsters use scripted conversations, forged documents, and repeated calls to maintain pressure and control.
Cybersecurity experts have warned that such scams rely heavily on fear-based manipulation and institutional impersonation. Once panic and trust are established, victims often proceed with large financial transfers without verification, resulting in significant losses.
Authorities have once again clarified that agencies like NIA, CBI, ED, or police never conduct arrests over phone or video calls and never demand money transfers under any circumstances.
Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant, immediately disconnect suspicious calls involving threats or financial demands, and avoid sharing OTPs, banking credentials, or personal identification details with unknown callers. They have also advised reporting such incidents promptly to cyber helplines or local police units.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials believe further arrests are likely as additional financial links and accounts connected to the racket are traced. Efforts are underway to identify the masterminds behind the network operating across multiple states.
The case highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercrime in India, where digital tools are being misused to create high-pressure fear-based scams that mimic official enforcement actions, leading to severe financial and psychological harm to victims.
