Inspired by KGF’s ‘Rocky’: Chennai mastermind with Chinese links, 5 others behind Rs 38-lakh Chandigarh ‘digital arrest’ fraud nabbed
The Chandigarh Police said the fraud involved impersonating police officers to threaten the victim with arrest and property confiscation, leading to coercive transfers of money
The Chandigarh Police on Thursday said they arrested six accused, including a Chennai-based mastermind who named himself ‘Rocky’, inspired by the popular movie KGF’s lead character, for allegedly duping a city resident of Rs 38 lakh in a ‘digital arrest’ fraud.
The arrested accused have been identified as Veena Rani, 29, of Ferozepur, Satnam Singh, 40, of Ferozepur, Sukhdeep Singh alias Sukh, 28, and Dharminder Singh alias Laddi, 40, of Fazilka, Mukesh alias Prince, 25, of Sector 45, Chandigarh, and Fazal ‘Rocky’, a resident of Chennai.
Rocky’s role and Chinese links
A Venkatesh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, cybercrime, said Fazal, who adopted the name ‘Rocky’, was in direct contact with Chinese nationals through the Telegram application. Acting as a coordinator, he allegedly provided real-time information about incoming fraud money and received instructions on when and from which bank accounts the cash should be withdrawn.
Rocky then allegedly directed his associates to withdraw money and convert it into cryptocurrency. For every transaction, he allegedly earned a commission of around 10 per cent. The converted cryptocurrency was transferred further as per directions received from his foreign handlers, said the police.
Inspector Eram Rizvi, Station House Officer, cybercrime police station, Sector 17, said the case was registered after a complaint from a Chandigarh resident who received threatening calls on January 7. The callers allegedly impersonated officials from the Colaba police station, Mumbai, and falsely accused him of involvement in a money-laundering case.
The victim was allegedly threatened with arrest and confiscation of property. He later received WhatsApp video calls displaying the name ‘Colaba Mumbai police’ during which a person in police uniform allegedly declared his arrest. Forged arrest warrants and fabricated documents were also allegedly sent to him. Subsequently, another call appeared as ‘CBI director’, allegedly claiming misuse of his Aadhaar card.
Under intense fear and psychological pressure, the complainant was allegedly coerced into transferring Rs 38 lakh to bank accounts provided by the accused. The victim and his wife remained under ‘digital arrest’ from the evening of January 7 to the end of January 8, said SHO Eram Rizvi.
Story continues below this ad
Geetanjali Khandelwal, Supreintendent of Police, cybercrime, said the FIR in the case was registered on January 9 under sections 308 (extortion) 318(4) [cheating], 319(2) [frauds with documents], 336(3) [forgery], 338 [forgery of valuable securities, wills, adoption authorities, and receipts for money/property], 340(2) [forged documents and electronic records], and 61(2) [criminal conspiracy] of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the cybercrime police station, Sector 17.
How police arrested the accused
During the investigation, the police obtained KYC and beneficiary details of suspected bank accounts. Financial analysis showed that Rs 4.50 lakh was withdrawn by cheque from an account linked to the second layer of fraud, in the name of Veena Rani.
Technical surveillance confirmed her presence in Chandigarh on January 9. The police arrested her near Nirman Theatre, Sector 32, and she admitted to withdrawing fraudulent funds and handing over Rs 4.40 lakh to her associates as commissions, the police said.
Based on her disclosure, the police conducted raids in Burail and Sector 45, resulting in the arrests of Dharminder, Sukhdeep, Satnam, and Mukesh. Further probe revealed that Mukesh facilitated the conversion of cash into cryptocurrency on Rocky’s directions, said the SHO.
Story continues below this ad
DSP Venkatesh said a special team was sent to Chennai, where Rocky was arrested from his rented accommodation. Two mobile phones, two laptops, and passbooks and chequebooks for multiple bank accounts were recovered from him, the police said.
The police recovered ATM cards, passbooks, chequebooks, mobile phones, electronic devices, and cash from all the accused. They sent the seized devices and bank account details to the cyber forensic laboratory for detailed examination.
With assistance from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) operators, the police placed a substantial portion of the defrauded amount on hold. Further investigation is underway to trace the international network and identify additional beneficiaries involved in the racket, the DSP added.
Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula).
Professional Background
Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases.
Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region.
Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns:
1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts
"12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013.
"‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case.
"Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification.
2. Investigative & Scams
"CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus.
"Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh.
3. Environment & Public Safety
"Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities.
"Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos.
4. Gangster Culture & Crime
"City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules.
"Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26.
Signature Style
Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More
