The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested two men from Maharashtra involved in coercive “digital arrest” fraud schemes. Identified as Muhammad Iqbal Balasahib (47) and Shain Iqbal Balasahib (42), the duo used elaborate impersonations of law enforcement officials to fool victims into transferring large sums of money.
Impersonating Officers via Video and Call Threats
The accused were detained from a residential flat in Mira Road, Thane. STF officials say the gang used WhatsApp calls and video conferencing to pose as officials from the narcotics, crime branch, and CBI. Victims were falsely informed of involvement in criminal cases and were coerced to pay bribes to “resolve issues.” In one instance, a Lucknow resident, Dr. B. N. Singh, was defrauded of ₹95 lakh.
During the arrest, the STF confiscated two laptops, three mobile phones, seven pen drives, three hard disks, six ATM cards, two Aadhaar cards, and ₹450 in cash. Ongoing forensic examination includes scrutinizing digital wallets and banking transactions .
Pattern of Cross‑State Cyber Fraud
The arrests follow an earlier STF crackdown in April when two gang members from Noida and Jhansi were apprehended for orchestrating a similar scam that extorted ₹48 lakh from a doctor, including offshore training in Cambodia. Those detainees revealed operations involved training, forged documentation, and the use of international telecom infrastructure.
Experts warn that digital arrest scams remain among the most psychologically damaging cybercrimes, often targeting elderly or vulnerable individuals. Victims are held in virtual “arrest” for days, under constant threat via video calls and coerced into transferring money, frequently routed through mule accounts and converted into cryptocurrency.
Governance Response & Public Awareness Needs
Police are tightening coordination with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and state cyber cells to dismantle such syndicates. Data from Pune reveals 21 cases of digital arrest scams between January and May 2025 caused losses of ₹9.21 crore, even as efforts to raise public awareness through TRAI and helpline campaigns continue.
While arrests send a deterrent signal, cybercrime experts urge urgent strengthening of KYC norms, telecom oversight, and banking transaction monitoring. Public messaging emphasizes that no law enforcement agency conducts arrests via video call, and victims should immediately verify any unusual communication.