CBI arrests two in Rs 11.42-crore 'digital arrest' scam after raids at 22 locations across 10 states

The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested two men accused of laundering the proceeds of a Rs 11.42-crore “digital arrest” scam, after carrying out coordinated searches at 22 locations across 10 states.

The accused, identified as Himanshu Prasad and Unis Biswas, were arrested from Gujarat on Sunday as part of the agency’s Operation Chakra-VI offensive against organised cybercrime syndicates, the CBI said in a statement. The agency said more arrests are expected.

The case centres on a Gujarat victim who was allegedly kept under a fake “digital arrest” for nearly three months by criminals posing as police officers and officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and coerced into transferring Rs 11.42 crore into bank accounts controlled by the syndicate. The Times of India reported the arrests followed the Supreme Court’s directions to the agency to investigate major digital-arrest cases.

Investigators allege Prasad and Biswas received, layered and dispersed the crime proceeds. About Rs 2.5 crore of the stolen money was allegedly routed through the bank account of M/s Hexaquest Global Pvt Ltd and then transferred onward to multiple accomplice accounts to obscure the trail. Forensic examination of seized digital devices allegedly showed the pair also managed mule accounts and used malicious APK files to siphon funds from various cyber frauds.

Searches recovered incriminating chats and messages, banking documents, account records and digital devices, which are being examined forensically to map the wider network, the CBI said.

“The action forms part of the CBI’s sustained offensive against various syndicates behind this menace, which continues to pose a grave threat to citizens across the country,” the agency said on Sunday.

The CBI said it has filed four digital-arrest cases in the past month, conducting searches at 142 locations in 22 states and arresting 17 accused. It warned the public that “digital arrest” is not a legal process: no police officer, government agency or court can place a person under digital arrest over a phone or video call.

Sources

• Times of India — CBI arrests 2 for 11cr ‘digital arrest loot’
• Times Now — CBI Arrests 2 In Rs 11.42-Crore ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam, Raids 22 Locations Across 10 States
• ETV Bharat — Two More Held By CBI For Rs 11.42 Crore ‘Digital Arrest’ Case In Gujarat
• The Freedom Press (IANS) — Gujarat: CBI team searches 22 locations, nabs 2 accused