Digital Arrest Scam: CBI Arrests Haryana-Based Accused in ₹25.65 Lakh Cyber Fraud; Probe Traces Back to Supreme Court-Directed Investigation
(Judicial Quest News Network)
3, July,2026-In a significant breakthrough in the investigation of an alleged “digital arrest” cyber fraud, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Karnal, Haryana-based accused from Rajkot, Gujarat, in connection with a case involving the extortion of ₹25.65 lakh from a senior citizen through threats of fabricated criminal prosecution.
The arrest was affected on June 30, 2026, as part of an investigation that the premier investigating agency undertook following a transfer of the case from the State Cyber Crime Police Station, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
The transfer was made pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court in Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 03 of 2025, by order dated December 1, 2025, reflecting the apex court’s intervention in addressing the increasing incidence of sophisticated cyber-enabled financial crimes with interstate ramifications.
The CBI formally re-registered the case on April 11, 2026, against unknown persons and commenced a detailed investigation into the alleged conspiracy.
According to the investigating agency, the victim a senior citizen was subjected to an elaborate scheme commonly referred to as a “digital arrest” scam.
The complainant allegedly received a series of intimidating calls from individuals impersonating officials of national security and counter-terrorism agencies.
The callers falsely asserted that her bank account had been linked to terrorism-related activities and threatened that she would be arrested and her assets seized unless she complied with their directions.
To reinforce the deception, the accused allegedly transmitted a fabricated attachment order, lending an appearance of official legitimacy to their claims.
Acting under fear and coercion, the victim transferred a total sum of ₹25.65 lakh into two separate bank accounts identified by the fraudsters.
The case underscores the evolving nature of cyber-enabled offences, where fraudsters increasingly exploit the authority of law enforcement and governmental institutions to psychologically manipulate victims into parting with substantial sums of money.
Such scams, popularly described as “digital arrests,” involve perpetrators creating a false impression that the victim is under investigation by agencies such as the police, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, or other regulatory authorities, compelling immediate monetary transfers under the guise of legal compliance.
During the course of the investigation, the CBI also succeeded in facilitating the refund of ₹2.65 lakh to the victim after securing the requisite orders from the competent court.
The recovery represents a partial restitution of the amount allegedly siphoned off through the fraudulent scheme.
The investigation is continuing to identify other members of the alleged cyber fraud syndicate, trace the money trail, and ascertain the full extent of the conspiracy.
In an advisory issued alongside the announcement of the arrest, the CBI cautioned citizens to remain vigilant against emerging cyber frauds, including fraudulent investment schemes, impersonation calls made in the name of law enforcement or regulatory authorities, and so-called “digital arrest” scams.
The agency reiterated that no genuine investigating or regulatory authority demands the transfer of money, disclosure of banking credentials, or sharing of one-time passwords (OTPs) over telephone or video calls.
The CBI urged members of the public not to disclose personal or financial information including bank account details, passwords, OTPs, or other sensitive credentials to unknown or unverified callers under any circumstances.
Citizens encountering suspicious cyber activity have been advised to report such incidents immediately through the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930), the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, or the nearest law enforcement agency, enabling timely intervention and enhancing the prospects of recovery in appropriate cases.
