Delhi Police Crack 'Digital Arrest' Scam; Three Arrested, Retired Officer Defrauded of ₹48.5 Lakh
The South West Delhi Police Cyber Crime Cell has uncovered a sophisticated fraud involving a terrifying new type of cybercrime called Digital Arrest, in which thieves posed as government organizations, robbed a retired officer of Rs 48.5 lakhs, and kept him in virtual captivity for three days.
New Delhi: The South West Delhi Police Cyber Crime Cell has uncovered a sophisticated fraud involving a terrifying new type of cybercrime called Digital Arrest, in which thieves posed as government organizations, robbed a retired officer of Rs 48.5 lakhs, and kept him in virtual captivity for three days.
Numerous sham corporations with ties to Chinese operations have been revealed, and three suspects have been taken into custody. In a fraud that involved simulated virtual court hearings, the suspects had been using WhatsApp video conversations to pose as TRAI, CBI, Mumbai Police, and even Supreme Court justices, according to the Delhi police.
Concerning the Case
The victim, Baliram, a retired government official, was contacted over WhatsApp on March 2, 2025, by someone posing as "Deepak Sharma" from TRAI. Using his Aadhaar, the caller alerted him to a money laundering case that had been filed in Mumbai. Through constant WhatsApp video calls, the victim was linked in a matter of minutes to a fictitious Mumbai Police Sub-Inspector, a phony CBI Chief, and a fictitious Supreme Court judge.
The victim was psychologically monitored for more than 72 hours, prevented from contacting anyone, and coerced into selling his PPF, fixed deposits, and other savings. The funds were moved to accounts that were fictitiously supervised by the Supreme Court.
It was discovered that both were shell corporations, established using falsified paperwork specifically to receive and launder the proceeds of cybercrime. These organizations maintained numerous current accounts with various banks.
The Delhi Police claim that technical tracking and money trail analysis linked 28 complaints from different states that were posted on the Ministry of Home Affairs' NCRP portal.
During the raid, multiple damning documents and three iPhones were found.
The investigation has revealed a widespread racket with international connections, including Hong Kong-based IP addresses, and a well-organised network of account operators, tech handlers, and local recruiters.
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