Four Suspects Nabbed in Multi‑State ‘Digital Arrest’ Conspiracy

A coordinated raid by Delhi’s South‑West cyber police resulted in the seizure of four alleged members of a multi‑state fraud network that used the pretense of a “Digital Arrest” to cheat a retired army colonel and his spouse of ₹15.50 lakh.

The suspects, hailing from Punjab and Rajasthan, presented themselves as police officials and government agents. They first contacted the victim on 15 April, alleging that Maharashtra police would terminate his phone service, and then directed him to a secondary number.

A second impostor warned that the colonel’s personal information had been exploited to open an illegal bank account in Mumbai, allegedly linked to money‑laundering, investment scams and terrorist financing. To lend credibility, the gang dispatched forged Enforcement Directorate arrest warrants, bogus court notices, spurious bail documents and counterfeit communications purportedly from the Bombay High Court and the Reserve Bank of India.

The couple was placed under a fabricated “digital arrest”, subjected to continuous intimidation, and their calls were monitored. The fraudsters gathered comprehensive details of the victims’ assets and, citing fabricated RBI orders, compelled the colonel to transfer the entire sum.

Financial investigators found that the stolen funds were routed through several “mule” and current bank accounts. Further probing revealed ties to cyber‑fraud operators based in Cambodia and the United Arab Emirates, including the Dubai region.

The case was registered at the South‑West district cyber police station, and the arrested individuals are now facing charges under the Information Technology Act and related sections of the Indian Penal Code.