Kerala Police have arrested a man allegedly involved in a cyber fraud racket that cheated a retired judge in Rajasthan of ₹2.5 crore by threatening him with arrest over fabricated links to the Pulwama case.
Who Has Been Arrested?
The accused, identified as Anand Babu of Varapuzha in Ernakulam district, was arrested following a joint investigation by Kerala and Rajasthan Police. The operation was led by Ernakulam Central Assistant Commissioner of Police Siby Tom after Rajasthan Police sought assistance in tracing the suspect.
Police identified Anand Babu as an alleged member of a cyber fraud gang involved in the digital arrest scam. Investigators believe he acted alongside other individuals who used threats of criminal prosecution to obtain money from the retired judge.
How Was the Retired Judge Targeted?
According to police officials, the accused and his associates allegedly contacted the retired judge and claimed that he was connected to hawala transactions linked to the Pulwama case. They threatened him with arrest, using the serious allegations to pressure him into transferring money.
Investigators said the group allegedly extorted ₹2.5 crore through these threats. The accusations concerning hawala transactions were part of the alleged fraud and have not been established as genuine allegations against the retired judge.
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How Did Police Trace the Accused?
A Rajasthan Police team travelled to Kochi after the investigation indicated a connection to Kerala. The officers approached Kerala Police for assistance, following which the Ernakulam Central ACP’s investigation team joined the operation.
The coordinated investigation led officers to Anand Babu’s arrest in Varapuzha. The available details do not specify the technical evidence or financial transactions used to identify and locate him.
The operation was conducted under ACP Siby Tom’s leadership, with assistance from personnel of the Ernakulam Central Police and Rajasthan Police.
Are More Suspects Involved?
Rajasthan Police informed their Kerala counterparts that additional individuals from the state were allegedly involved in the fraud. This suggests investigators are examining the suspected involvement of other members of the network.
However, police have not disclosed the identities of these individuals or confirmed further arrests in the available information. Details of any recovery of the defrauded money have also not been provided.
The420 Insight
The case highlights how cybercriminals allegedly exploit fear of arrest and serious criminal accusations to pressure victims into making payments. The reference to hawala transactions and the Pulwama case was used to create a sense of legal danger. Individuals receiving such threats should independently verify claims with the police and avoid transferring money on the instructions of unknown callers.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
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