Madhya Pradesh’s Panna Police dismantled an international “Digital Arrest” scam network operating from Mumbai. The accused were using advanced SIM box devices imported from Thailand to run a sophisticated extortion racket targeting Indian citizens under the guise of law enforcement threats. The case originated from a complaint filed by Panna resident Anshu Sharma, who was duped of ₹14 lakh.
According to the police, the accused used fear tactics by posing as officials from agencies like CBI and TRAI, falsely accusing victims of criminal involvement and compelling them to transfer large sums via RTGS. The arrested individuals, linked to an international racket operated via Telegram, were living in a rented Mumbai apartment where they had set up high-tech fraudulent infrastructure.
FCRF x CERT-In Roll Out National Cyber Crisis Management Course to Prepare India’s Digital Defenders
International Links and High-Tech Setup Uncovered
During the joint operation led by SP Sai Krishna Thota and coordinated with national cyber agencies including I4C and DoT, two suspects—Rishikesh alias Rishabh Hasurkar (27) and Suresh Gudimani (31)—were arrested from Thane, Maharashtra. Their confession revealed their collaboration with a Telegram-based handler known only as “Boss,” operating from Thailand and Cambodia.
The syndicate used SIM box technology to convert international VoIP calls into local calls, making them harder to trace. This allowed them to impersonate Indian government officials effectively. In return, the accused reportedly sent large volumes of Indian Airtel SIM cards abroad in exchange for foreign currency.
Seized items include:
- 12 imported SIM boxes (₹14.4 lakh)
- 1,700+ Airtel SIM cards (₹6.8 lakh)
- 19 mobile phones (₹3.5 lakh)
- 3 laptops (₹90,000)
- 4 routers, gangboxes, foreign currencies, passports, blank cheques, ATM cards
- ₹1.5 lakh in cash
Total seizure value: ₹27.1 lakh
National Impact and Recognition for Police Team
The scam was not confined to one location. Victims were targeted across India through Telegram and VoIP-based call manipulation. This cybercrime model mimicked official protocols to exert psychological pressure and extract money. Panna Police worked closely with national cyber agencies and multiple state law enforcement units for technical support in the operation.
In recognition of their exemplary work, SP Panna has announced a cash reward of ₹10,000 for the team and recommended further commendations to higher authorities, including the DGP of Madhya Pradesh.
The case continues to unravel deeper layers of international cybercrime, with more suspects and operations expected to be exposed in the coming weeks.