Police have arrested two Mumbai-based cybercrime suspects for allegedly duping the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese, Rourkela, of ₹14.36 lakh through a ‘digital arrest’ scam in which they impersonated police and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials, investigators said.
According to police, the accused allegedly convinced Bishop Rourkela Kishore Kujur that his name and bank account had been linked to criminal activities, prompting him to transfer money on the pretext of a refundable security deposit. After receiving a complaint on March 10, the cyber wing of Rourkela Police registered a case and launched an investigation.
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Police Allege Elaborate Impersonation Scheme
Investigators said the fraud began with a caller posing as a Mumbai Police officer, who claimed that a mobile number registered in the bishop’s name had been used in multiple crimes during January 2026.
Police said another caller, posing as an IPS officer from Mumbai, later made a video call and claimed the bishop’s Mumbai bank account was linked to criminal activity. The caller then connected him to another individual impersonating a CBI investigating officer, who alleged that the account had been used to transfer money to a person identified as Naresh Goyal, who was purportedly involved in money laundering and terror financing.
Fake Court Order and Security Deposit Demand
Police said the fraudsters allegedly showed the bishop what they claimed was a copy of a non-bailable warrant purportedly issued by the Supreme Court. They warned him that he was under CBI surveillance, instructed him to submit an activity report every three hours, and directed him to appear either before the Supreme Court or at a police station in Mumbai.
According to investigators, the callers later claimed that a priority investigation could be arranged and persuaded the bishop to transfer ₹36,500 towards filing a petition in the Supreme Court, along with ₹14 lakh as a refundable security deposit. The money was transferred electronically in two instalments before the bishop realised he had been deceived and lodged a complaint with the Rourkela Cyber Crime and Economic Offences police station.
Technical Investigation Leads to Arrests
Police said technical analysis of bank transactions, mobile numbers, digital evidence and beneficiary accounts led investigators to identify two accused, both described as GST brokers. They were arrested in Mumbai and brought to Rourkela.
Investigators said the bank accounts used to receive the transferred money were allegedly linked to a cyber fraud racket operating across multiple states and were used to channel proceeds from cybercrime. The investigation is continuing.
