₹1.92 Crore “Digital Arrest” Scam in Hyderabad: Three Arrested for Impersonating CBI Officers

₹1.92 Crore ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam: Three Arrested by Cybercrime Police in Hyderabad

In a major cyber fraud case reported from Hyderabad, the Cybercrime Police have arrested three individuals for allegedly cheating a 71-year-old senior citizen out of ₹1.92 crore through a so-called “digital arrest” scam.

How the Fraud Took Place

According to police officials, the accused impersonated officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and contacted the victim. They falsely claimed that a criminal case had been registered against him for the misuse of his Aadhaar card.

The fraudsters informed the victim that a bank account had been opened in his name at Canara Bank in Mumbai using his Aadhaar details. To make their claims appear credible, they conducted a video call with the victim, displayed a photograph of an ATM card, and even shared a fake FIR purportedly issued by the Delhi Police Crime Branch.

The scammers then demanded money from the victim, claiming it was required to close the case and avoid arrest. Under pressure and believing the officials were genuine, the victim transferred ₹1,92,50,070 to multiple bank accounts between November 7 and November 14.

Police Investigation and Arrests

After realizing he had been defrauded, the victim approached the Cybercrime Police Station and filed a complaint. Based on the investigation, the police arrested three suspects:

• Pandu Vinith Raj – allegedly responsible for supplying bank accounts

• G. Thirupathaiah – joint account holder

• Gouni Vishwanatham – joint account holder

Police revealed that the accused were involved in five cybercrime cases across India, including two cases in Telangana.

However, the main accused, Saneep alias Alex, is currently absconding and efforts are underway to trace and arrest him.

The case has been registered under:

• Information Technology Act Section 66C – Identity Theft

• Information Technology Act Section 66D – Cheating by Impersonation Using Computer Resources

• Relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Police Advisory to the Public

Authorities have issued a strong warning to citizens regarding the rising number of “digital arrest” scams.

Police clarified that there is no legal concept called “Digital Arrest” in Indian law. A legitimate arrest involves law enforcement officers physically arriving with a valid warrant, not conducting proceedings over video calls.

They also emphasized that government agencies such as the Police, CBI, ED, or Customs never demand money over phone calls, UPI, cryptocurrency, or gift cards to close a case or prevent arrest.

Safety Guidelines for Citizens

The police advised citizens to:

• Never transfer money based on threats of arrest over phone or video call

• Avoid sharing sensitive information such as OTP, passwords, bank details, Aadhaar, or PAN with unknown callers

• Verify any suspicious call claiming to be from law enforcement agencies

• Immediately report cyber fraud incidents to the police or cybercrime authorities

Conclusion

This case highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud in India, where criminals exploit fear, authority, and digital communication tools to deceive victims. Authorities continue to urge citizens to remain alert, cautious, and informed to prevent falling prey to such scams.

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