Police investigating the ₹2.98 crore ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraud case have arrested two more accused — Ajay and Ram, residents of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, further exposing the scale and organisation of the interstate cybercrime network. The duo was arrested on January 24 and remanded to four days of police custody after being produced before a court.
With these arrests, the number of accused held in the case has increased, and investigators say critical leads have emerged regarding the routing of money and the use of mule bank accounts to conceal the proceeds of crime.
According to investigators, the fraud targeted an elderly woman, who was psychologically coerced into transferring nearly ₹2.98 crore after cyber criminals impersonated officials from telecom authorities and central investigation agencies. The callers falsely accused her of being involved in a multi-crore money-laundering case linked to her Aadhaar and mobile number.
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Taking advantage of the victim’s age and vulnerability, the accused placed her under what they described as a “digital house arrest”, instructing her not to speak to anyone and to remain available on continuous phone and video calls.
Police said the fraudsters escalated the intimidation by staging fake court proceedings over video calls, complete with impersonators posing as judges and officials. The victim was told her bank accounts were under surveillance and that non-compliance would result in immediate arrest. Under sustained pressure and fear, she transferred the money in multiple transactions over several days.
The latest arrests revealed that Ajay and Ram played a key role in layering and transferring the stolen funds. Investigators found that the duo approached a Chandigarh-based woman, promising benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, and fraudulently obtained her banking documents. An amount of ₹7 lakh, part of the total defrauded sum, was routed into her account to mask the original source of the money.
Tracing this transaction led police to Ajay and Ram. During interrogation, investigators are examining how many such accounts were used, where the remaining funds were diverted, and who the final beneficiaries were.
Earlier, on January 15, police arrested Nitin Singhal, a resident of East Delhi, and recovered approximately ₹17 lakh from him. Preliminary findings indicate that the gang deliberately moved money across multiple bank accounts and jurisdictions to disrupt the financial trail and delay detection.
The victim told police that the first call was received on December 4, when callers claimed her identity was linked to illegal financial activities. Over the following days, repeated calls, threats, and video surveillance-like monitoring left her mentally distressed. As the demands increased, she grew suspicious and eventually contacted the national cyber helpline 1930, triggering the investigation.
Based on her complaint, a case was registered and a detailed technical probe was launched. Analysis of bank transaction records, call detail records, IP logs and digital evidence confirmed that the fraud was pre-planned and coordinated, involving multiple individuals operating from different locations.
Investigators said cases involving ‘digital arrest’ scams are increasing across the country, with senior citizens being the primary targets. Cyber criminals exploit fear of law enforcement, impersonate government agencies, and use fabricated digital visuals to extort large sums of money.
Police have reiterated that no government agency conducts arrests, interrogations or court proceedings over phone or video calls. Citizens have been advised not to share bank details, OTPs or identity documents with unknown callers under any circumstances.
Authorities have urged the public to immediately report suspicious calls or messages to the 1930 cyber helpline or the nearest police station. Investigators said efforts are ongoing to identify additional accused, recover the remaining funds and dismantle the entire network.
The probe remains active, and further arrests are expected as financial and digital trails are analysed in detail.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
