10 arrested in ‘digital arrest’ scam, posed as cops and govt officials to extort citizens

The arrests were made following coordinated raids conducted across seven states, including Delhi, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. One of the accused was arrested at Mumbai Airport while he was attempting to flee to Dubai.

The 10 accused are: Dharmender Chauhan (34); Somveer Saini (29); Ahteshamul Haq (35); Santosh Kumar Khandai (32); Muhammad Bugari PP (32); Muhammad Shahid (30); Nitesh Kumar (22); Dev alias Sonu (21); Imtiyaz (19); and Maheshwar Puntia (24).

Police said the probe began after a case was registered on December 7 at Shaheen Bagh police station under BNS Section 318(4). The complainant, Tanbir Ahmad, alleged he was cheated of Rs 99,888 after receiving threatening WhatsApp video calls from unknown persons posing as Karnataka Police officials. The fraudsters falsely claimed that his Aadhaar number and mobile phone were linked to serious criminal cases and coerced him into transferring money.

Police said a team was constituted under Inspector Dinesh Kumar, SHO Shaheen Bagh, with close supervision from senior officers of the Southeast District. The team carried out a detailed analysis of financial and technical trails, combining digital forensics, human intelligence and sustained field operations.

Police tracked the movement of the accused across multiple states, intercepting them at the New Delhi Railway Station and Mumbai Airport.

Police said the accused played various roles, including procurement of mule bank accounts, illegal SIM activation, WhatsApp authentication, coordination of cash withdrawals and handling of proceeds of crime.

Police said several of the arrested persons have previous involvements in cyber fraud cases, indicating their association with a seasoned criminal network exploiting digital platforms and financial systems.

Police recovered 10 mobile phones used for SIM activation and WhatsApp authentication, multiple debit and credit cards linked to mule accounts, two debit cards used for withdrawing cheated amounts, and substantial digital evidence including WhatsApp chats, voice notes, transaction records and account delivery proofs. A Baleno car used by the accused in the commission of the crime was also seized.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has issued an advisory urging citizens to remain vigilant against such frauds. Police authorities reiterated that no police, court or government agency arrests or investigates anyone over phone or video calls or through WhatsApp, nor do they demand money for verification or to avoid arrest. Citizens have been advised not to panic on receiving such calls, to disconnect immediately and not to share OTPs, bank details or personal documents.

Victims are encouraged to report such incidents without delay by calling the cybercrime helpline 1930 or lodging a complaint on the NCRP at http://www.cybercrime.gov.in.