Nagaur Police Crack Down on Digital Arrest Scam, Arrest Four Accused from Delhi
In a significant breakthrough against cybercrime, Nagaur police on Thursday apprehended four individuals from New Delhi, including a chartered accountant, for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated digital arrest scam that defrauded a retired doctor of Rs 34 lakh. The arrests highlight the growing menace of online fraud schemes targeting vulnerable citizens.
Details of the Arrests and Accused
Nagaur Superintendent of Police Roshan Meena confirmed that the police teams successfully arrested the accused, who have been identified as Imran Husain (40), a resident of Brahmpuri in northeast Delhi; Vivek Kumar (35) of Karawal Nagar, New Delhi; Salman (27), also from northeast Delhi; and Yogendra (39), a resident of Delhi. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Cyber) Dharam Poonia revealed that Salman, a chartered accountant, allegedly managed the siphoned funds, playing a key role in the financial aspect of the scam.
How the Digital Arrest Scam Unfolded
According to police reports, the retired doctor, a resident of Gotan in Nagaur, filed a First Information Report (FIR) on January 21. He stated that he received a call from fraudsters posing as police officials from Bengaluru. The callers falsely accused him of involvement in human trafficking and sending obscene messages to women, claiming that a case had been registered against him.
The scammers then placed the victim under a so-called digital arrest through a video call, using intimidation and threats to instill fear and panic. Acting under this duress, the doctor prematurely broke his fixed deposit of Rs 34 lakh and transferred the entire amount into bank accounts controlled by the accused. The investigation later revealed that these bank accounts were based in New Delhi, prompting the dispatch of two police teams to trace and apprehend the suspects.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Police said the complainant realized he had been victimized after the transaction and promptly filed the FIR. In his complaint, the victim alleged that he was deceived through forged electronic records designed to appear genuine. A case was registered at the cyber police station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
During the probe, authorities uncovered that the accused had allegedly opened bank accounts and shell firms in their own names, which they then sold to other cyber criminals. This facilitated not only digital arrest scams but also investment frauds and similar offences, indicating a broader network of illicit activities.
Recovery of Funds and Ongoing Efforts
In a positive development, police have managed to put over Rs 5 lakh of the defrauded Rs 34 lakh on hold. Further investigation is underway to recover the remaining amount and identify any additional accomplices involved in this cyber fraud ring. The arrests serve as a stern warning to cyber criminals and underscore the importance of public vigilance against such sophisticated scams.
