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12 clusters · 27 sources · 61 days · First seen · Last updated
Cyber fraud and impersonation scams in India
Overview
Cybercriminals in India continue to employ sophisticated impersonation tactics, particularly the “digital arrest” scheme, to defraud citizens. In these scams, criminals pose as law enforcement, judicial members, or officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to coerce victims into transferring large sums of money under the guise of investigations.
Law enforcement agencies have intensified their crackdown on these syndicates. Under ‘Operation Chakra-6’, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested two individuals, Himanshu Prasad and Yunis Biswas, in connection with an 11.42 crore rupee fraud in Gujarat. The investigation found that the suspects assisted in receiving and layering illicit funds to conceal the money trail. The CBI conducted simultaneous searches across 22 locations in 10 states as part of this ongoing effort.
Separately, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Sohel Akhtar, also known as Raju, regarding a scam that extorted Rs 7 crore from a resident of Ludhiana, Punjab. In this instance, the gang impersonated CBI officials and members of the judiciary. The investigation revealed that stolen funds were routed through various corporate bank accounts using an application named ‘AMMFORWARD’ for rapid transfers. This specific case has expanded to include nine additional FIRs involving similar tactics used by the same group.
In a recent development in Madhya Pradesh, Ratlam police arrested three suspects in connection with a 55 lakh rupee ‘digital arrest’ scam. The victim, a motor parts businessman, was targeted by individuals posing as Mumbai Police officers who used WhatsApp video calls with people in police uniforms and forged Supreme Court of India letterheads. The scammers falsely claimed the victim was involved in criminal activities and communications with Pakistan’s ISI. Two suspects were apprehended in Hyderabad and one in Dharwad, Karnataka, with authorities successfully freezing approximately 20 lakh rupees of the defrauded amount.
Entities
Central Bureau of Investigation · Supreme Court of India · Delhi Police · Mumbai Police · Enforcement Directorate
Timeline
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[CRIME] 4 sourcesRatlam police arrest three in 55 lakh rupee digital arrest scam
Ratlam police arrested three individuals for a 55 lakh rupee ‘digital arrest’ scam that used fake police identities and forged Supreme Court documents to defraud a businessman.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesEnforcement Directorate arrests suspect in Rs 7 crore digital arrest scam
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Sohel Akhtar for his role in a Rs 7 crore ‘digital arrest’ scam where fraudsters impersonated CBI officials and judges to extort money from a Punjab resident.
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[CRIME] 3 sourcesCBI arrests two in 11.42 crore rupee Gujarat ‘digital arrest’ fraud case
The CBI arrested two suspects in a 11.42 crore rupee ‘digital arrest’ fraud case in Gujarat, part of a nationwide crackdown on cybercrime syndicates.
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[CRIME] 3 sourcesKasaragod doctor loses Rs 1.19 crore in digital arrest scam
A Kasaragod doctor lost Rs 1.19 crore in a “digital arrest” scam involving individuals posing as crime officials. One suspect has been arrested at Hyderabad airport.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesCybercriminals defraud Indian professionals of crores in separate scams
Cybercriminals in India have defrauded an industrialist of Rs 5.5 crore via a digital arrest scam and a surgeon of Rs 4.47 crore through a fake cryptocurrency investment platform.
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[CRIME] 4 sourcesCBI arrests five more suspects in ‘digital arrest’ fraud crackdown
The CBI has arrested five more suspects under ‘Operation Chakra-6’ for their involvement in organized ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraud cases across India.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesBhopal elderly couple defrauded of 22 lakh rupees in 97-day digital arrest scam
An elderly couple in Bhopal was defrauded of 22 lakh rupees after being held under ‘digital arrest’ for 97 days by scammers impersonating police and judicial officials.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesIndia investigates 'digital arrest' scams involving extortion and shell companies
Indian authorities are investigating 'digital arrest' scams in Bhopal and Goa, where fraudsters used video surveillance and impersonation to extort millions from victims through shell companies.
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[CRIME] 5 sourcesNoida: Elderly couple defrauded of ₹58 lakh in digital arrest scam
An elderly couple in Noida lost ₹58.30 lakh to cybercriminals using a ‘digital arrest’ scam, where fraudsters impersonated officials and linked their bank accounts to a fake money laundering investigation.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesCybercriminals target Indian retirees with fake investment and arrest scams
Cybercriminals in India are targeting retirees using fake investment schemes and ‘digital arrest’ tactics, with victims in Hyderabad and Coimbatore losing nearly ₹2 crore through impersonation and extortion.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesCyber fraudsters use fake foreign identities to conduct love scams in India
Indian authorities are cracking down on cyber fraud syndicates that use fake foreign identities on social media to build romantic trust and extort large sums through impersonated customs and tax officials.
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesCybercriminals use “digital arrest” scams to defraud elderly victims in India
Cybercriminals are using “digital arrest” scams in India, posing as police and bank officials to extort millions from elderly victims through intimidation and fake investigations.
Sources
aajtak.com · acvila30.ro · asmfc.com · bhaskarhindi.com · dtnext.in · edexlive.com · esakal.com · hindi.asianetnews.com · hindi.news18.com · indtoday.com · lagatar.in · latestly.com · mangalorean.com · medicaldialogues.in · navbharatlive.com · news.abplive.com · newsindialive.in · newsmobile.in · prabhatkhabar.com · punchng.com · samacharnama.com · sanjeevnitoday.com · scnnewsindia.com · socialnews.xyz · thecsrjournal.in · tv9hindi.com · yespunjab.com
This summary has been updated 9 times: see revision history