Rajasthan Police investigate digital arrest fraud and issue cybercrime advisory

Rajasthan Police have arrested a gym trainer from Maharashtra in connection with a ₹2.12 crore digital arrest fraud. The victim, a retired Geological Survey of India official, was targeted between August 9 and August 18, 2026, by individuals posing as police and government officials. The fraudsters used video calls and forged documents to convince the victim he was involved in a money laundering case, leading him to transfer ₹2.02 crore to an ICICI Bank account and ₹10.10 lakh to a YES Bank account.

The arrested individual, Ravindra Jitendra Prasad Singh, is accused of assisting a cybercrime network by managing banking details, handling SIM cards, and providing accommodation for other suspects. Investigators believe Singh connected with the network through a Telegram channel known as BRO PAY.

In a separate move to combat rising digital threats, the Rajasthan Cyber Crime wing has issued an advisory regarding WhatsApp account hijacking. Authorities warned that criminals are using fake QR codes, social engineering, and OTP theft to gain unauthorized access to accounts. Once compromised, scammers impersonate victims to solicit money from their contacts under the guise of medical emergencies or other urgent needs.