In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Uttarakhand Police's Special Task Force (STF) and its cyber crime unit have jointly arrested a 19-year-old Class 12 student from Jaipur. The teenager is accused of playing a key role in a sophisticated "digital arrest" gang that defrauded an 80-year-old man from Haldwani of a staggering Rs 20 lakh.
The Elaborate 'Digital Arrest' Con
The victim, a senior citizen residing in the Nainital district, was targeted by cybercriminals posing as officials from the Delhi Police Crime Branch. Between December 7 and 9, the fraudsters contacted him via WhatsApp, falsely accusing him of involvement in a money-laundering racket. They claimed his bank account had been used for illicit activities.
Kush Mishra, the DSP of the state cyber crime unit, explained the modus operandi. "The fraudsters informed the elderly man that all his bank accounts and properties required verification. They threatened him with a 'digital arrest,' confining him to his home until the process was complete," Mishra stated. Under immense psychological pressure and continuous intimidation over three days, the victim was tricked into sharing his sensitive banking details.
The Trail of Money and the Arrest
After successfully coercing the victim, the criminals directed him to transfer Rs 20 lakh from his accounts to bank details they provided. Once the transaction was confirmed, the fraudsters severed all communication. Realizing he had been duped, the octogenarian approached the police. A formal case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for fraud and provisions of the Information Technology Act.
Investigators meticulously followed the digital money trail, which led them to bank accounts held by the 19-year-old student in Jaipur. "A dedicated police team was dispatched to Rajasthan. After over a week of efforts, we tracked down and arrested the accused," DSP Mishra confirmed. The student was brought to Uttarakhand on Saturday and is set to be produced before a local court.
A Larger Syndicate and a Troubling Pattern
Police revealed that the arrested teenager is merely a cog in a much larger criminal machine. He allegedly allowed the gang to use his two bank accounts in exchange for a commission, facilitating the movement of illicit funds. Interrogation uncovered that the student has been involved in cyber offences for the past year and is facing similar charges in at least five other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.
An officer involved in the Rajasthan operation, speaking on condition of anonymity, provided context. "His father works as a painter. The accused was lured into this world of crime in pursuit of quick and easy money," the officer said. During the arrest, police recovered an iPhone 14 Pro, his Aadhaar card, PAN card, and other government-issued identity documents from the teenager.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
Authorities have emphasized that this arrest is just the beginning. "We are continuing our probe to identify other members involved in this syndicate and will arrest the remaining accused," asserted DSP Kush Mishra. The case highlights the alarming rise of "digital arrest" scams, where criminals use fear and authority impersonation to trap and rob vulnerable citizens, especially the elderly.
The Uttarakhand Police's successful inter-state operation underscores the growing coordination between law enforcement agencies to combat the evolving threat of cyber-enabled financial fraud.
