Junagadh Court Makes History with First Digital Arrest Scam Conviction
In a landmark judgment that sets a significant precedent for cybercrime cases in India, a court in Junagadh has sentenced an Assam resident to five years of rigorous imprisonment for his involvement in a sophisticated digital arrest scam. This case represents what authorities are calling the first conviction of its kind in Gujarat for this emerging form of online extortion.
The Judgment and Financial Penalty
The Second Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, G.S. Darji, delivered the verdict against 38-year-old Ajibar Rehman, imposing not only the prison sentence but also a substantial fine of Rs 1 lakh. The punishment comes in response to Rehman's role in extorting Rs 26 lakh from a resident of Junagadh in January of last year through deceptive digital means.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
According to detailed investigation reports, the scam began when 29-year-old Manan Mehta filed a formal complaint with the Cybercrime Police Station of Junagadh Range on January 30, 2025. Based on his distressing account, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 420 for cheating, Section 342 for wrongful confinement, and Section 347 for wrongful confinement to extort property, along with Section 170 for impersonation of a public servant. Additionally, charges were filed under Sections 66-D and 66-C of the Information Technology Act.
Investigators revealed that the accused employed a multi-layered deception strategy. Rehman initially posed as a customer care executive from a prominent courier company, then escalated the scheme by impersonating an officer from the Mumbai Crime Branch. The fraudulent caller falsely claimed that a parcel booked in Mehta's name using his Aadhaar card and allegedly sent to Taiwan contained illegal drugs. The scammer then threatened Mehta with imminent arrest and serious money laundering charges, effectively placing him under what has become known as "digital arrest."
The Psychological Impact and Financial Transactions
The psychological manipulation was severe. Investigators confirmed that Mehta was coerced into remaining indoors for an entire day while staying continuously connected on a video call with the fraudsters. This prolonged intimidation created an environment of extreme fear and compliance. On June 13, 2025, under this duress, Mehta authorized two separate transactions totaling Rs 26.15 lakh, which were directly transferred to Rehman's bank account in Assam. Following the transfer, the funds were quickly diverted to other accounts in an attempt to obscure the money trail.
Broader Criminal Network Uncovered
Junagadh Range Inspector General Nilesh Jajadiya provided crucial insight into the investigation, noting that the extorted amount was definitively traced to Rehman's bank account. Rehman was subsequently arrested on May 18, 2025, and remains lodged in Junagadh jail awaiting further legal proceedings.
The investigation uncovered a much larger criminal operation. Senior Inspector C.V. Nayak of the Cybercrime Police Station disclosed that police identified five separate bank accounts directly linked to Rehman. Alarmingly, these accounts were associated with 63 distinct online complaints filed from various states across India on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Data extracted from the portal revealed that these accounts were involved in online financial fraud totaling a staggering Rs 21.85 crore, which includes the amount specifically extorted from Mehta.
Prosecution's Argument for Stringent Punishment
During the trial, Government Additional Public Prosecutor I.A. Sama presented a compelling case for severe punishment. He argued that cyberfraud and digital arrest cases are increasing at an alarming rate across the country and require strict judicial responses to deter potential offenders. The prosecution emphasized to the court that comprehensive bank records and complaint data irrefutably established Rehman's active and central role in the criminal enterprise.
Furthermore, the prosecution highlighted the profound mental trauma inflicted upon the victim, who transferred his entire life savings under the paralyzing fear of police action and legal consequences. This emotional and financial devastation was presented as a key factor justifying the stringent sentence, sending a clear message about the serious consequences of such digital crimes.
