‘Don’t leave home’: Kolkata man duped of Rs 3.26 crore in ‘digital arrest’ fraud

The police revealed that the fraudsters first contacted the victim, claiming to be Mumbai Crime Branch officers and alleging that his Aadhaar details were linked to criminal complaints filed against 24 people. When the victim insisted he did not own any Mumbai-registered SIM card, the callers escalated their intimidation tactics.

The accused allegedly sent ‘digital arrest’ notices and fraudulent bank account freeze orders, informing the victim that he was under a joint CBI-police investigation. He was ordered not to leave his home without permission and was threatened with immediate physical arrest if he failed to comply.

Fearing legal action, the victim followed the scammers’ instructions step by step. Over the course of the ordeal, he transferred a total of Rs 3,26,84,000, comprising liquidated shares, mutual funds, and cash. into bank accounts controlled by the syndicate.

After realising he had been defrauded, the victim approached the Bidhannagar Police. Cybercrime investigators tracked the money trail across multiple bank accounts and technical clues, ultimately identifying and arresting the suspects.

Rising incidents

The incident comes amidst a growing push against such crimes. In July 2025, a West Bengal court sentenced nine people to life imprisonment in a digital arrest fraud case, marking the first such conviction in the state and across India.

Despite extensive public awareness campaigns run by law enforcement agencies, fraudsters continue to exploit psychologically vulnerable victims.

“The language they choose sounds administrative and official rather than suspicious,” a senior police officer explained. “By the time they start demanding money, many victims have already spent hours on calls trying to prove their innocence. They are exhausted, intimidated, and on the back foot.”

Following the arrest, the police issued an advisory detailing key indicators that distinguish legitimate law enforcement procedures from fraudulent ‘digital arrests’. Government and law enforcement agencies never keep individuals on hours-long video calls or place them under virtual detention. Transferring money or liquidating assets is never a part of any legitimate criminal investigation. The police will never demand that a citizen keep an ongoing inquiry secret from their family or legal counsel.