Rajkot Police Apprehend Two More Accused from Haryana in High-Profile Digital Arrest Fraud Case
In a significant development, Rajkot police have arrested two additional accused from Karnal city in Haryana, intensifying their crackdown on a sophisticated digital arrest fraud case that targeted a 76-year-old city resident. The accused have been identified as Shankar Rajput (27) and Shubham Raghuvirsinh (30). With these latest apprehensions, the total number of arrests in this intricate cybercrime has now escalated to 16, underscoring the widespread nature of the fraudulent operation.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme and Victim's Ordeal
The elderly victim, a resident of Old Airport Road in Rajkot, filed a formal complaint at the cyber crime police station in November, detailing a harrowing experience where he was coerced into paying a staggering Rs 1.14 crore. The fraudsters, posing as law enforcement officials, subjected him to a digital arrest for over a week, using threats and intimidation to extract the money.
His ordeal began on October 29, when he received a call from an individual falsely claiming to represent a telecom company. The caller accused him of using his mobile phone number for heinous activities such as child pornography, online gambling, and cyber terrorism, and threatened to disconnect his phone service. When the victim denied these allegations, he was instructed to contact the Mumbai Crime Branch for verification.
Due to his age and inability to travel, the caller facilitated a phone connection with another impersonator, who posed as Police Sub-Inspector Shankar Patil. During a WhatsApp video call, this individual—dressed in a police uniform—requested personal information, including family details and a copy of the victim's Aadhaar card. He falsely asserted that the Aadhaar had been misused to open bank accounts involved in money laundering and cybercrime, warning of imminent arrest and imprisonment.
Role of the Newly Arrested Accused and Financial Trail
According to police investigations, Shubham Raghuvirsinh worked as a sales manager at a private bank. He allegedly assisted in opening a bank account under the name of Shankar Rajput, which was subsequently used to receive approximately Rs 1 crore siphoned off through the cyber fraud. This illicit amount was later withdrawn and transferred to multiple bank accounts, complicating the financial trail and highlighting the organized nature of the scam.
The fraudsters kept the victim digitally confined by threatening to send him to jail and forcibly repatriate his daughters, who are settled abroad. This psychological manipulation played a crucial role in coercing the victim into transferring the funds to the scammers. It was only after realizing the deception that he lodged a formal complaint with the Rajkot City Cybercrime police station.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigation
This case sheds light on the growing menace of digital arrest frauds in India, where cybercriminals exploit technology and impersonate authorities to target vulnerable individuals. The arrest of 16 accused so far indicates a well-coordinated network, and police are continuing their probe to uncover further links and recover the defrauded money.
The involvement of individuals from Haryana underscores the interstate dimensions of such cybercrimes, necessitating enhanced collaboration between law enforcement agencies across states. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant against such scams and report any suspicious calls or demands for money immediately.
