CBI Cracks Down on Massive Rs 11.4 Crore ‘Digital Arrest’ Fraud, Two Arrested
NEW DELHI: In a significant breakthrough against the growing menace of cyber-enabled financial crimes, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended two individuals allegedly involved in a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam. The operation, which led to the discovery of a staggering Rs 11.4 crore swindled from a single victim in Gujarat, marks a pivotal success for the agency’s ongoing ‘Operation Chakra-VI.’
The investigation follows strict directives from the Supreme Court, which had called for a comprehensive probe into the surge of high-stakes digital scams targeting citizens across the country.
The Modus Operandi: Three Months of Psychological Terror
The Gujarat-based victim was subjected to a harrowing three-month ordeal. According to investigators, the perpetrators masqueraded as law enforcement officers and officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). By leveraging fear and authoritative intimidation, the fraudsters placed the victim under “digital arrest,” a manipulative tactic where the target is kept under constant video surveillance and psychological pressure, preventing them from seeking outside help or verifying the authenticity of their captors.
Under this constant coercion, the victim was systematically manipulated into transferring life savings totaling Rs 11.4 crore into accounts controlled by the syndicate.
Coordinated Raids and Key Arrests
The arrests of Himanshu Prasad and Unis Biswas followed a massive, coordinated sweep conducted by the CBI across 22 locations spanning 10 states. Prasad and Biswas are believed to be essential cogs in the criminal machinery, responsible for receiving, layering, and distributing the illicit funds.
Preliminary findings by the federal agency indicate that a substantial portion of the loot—approximately Rs 2.5 crore—was laundered through the bank account of a shell entity, Hexaquest Global Pvt Ltd. From there, the funds were splintered into a web of accomplice accounts, a classic money-laundering technique designed to obfuscate the financial trail and make the recovery of assets arduous for authorities.
Uncovering the Digital Footprint
The impact of the raid extends beyond the immediate arrests. During the searches, CBI investigators confiscated several digital devices, which have since undergone a rigorous forensic audit. The findings point to a highly organized syndicate that maintained a complex technological infrastructure.
“The analysis of seized digital evidence, including incriminating chats, banking documentation, and internal account ledgers, reveals a deeper, more entrenched network,” a source familiar with the investigation stated. Evidence suggests that the suspects were not only managing “mule” accounts—bank accounts opened in the names of unsuspecting individuals to park illegal money—but were also deploying malicious APK files. These files were likely used to gain remote access to victims’ devices, allowing the criminals to bypass security protocols and siphon off funds directly.
The CBI is now analyzing the recovered data to map the syndicate’s broader hierarchy. Officials indicated that the ongoing investigation aims to dismantle the remaining nodes of this operation, ensuring that the masterminds behind this digital extortion network are brought to justice. As “digital arrest” scams continue to rise, the agency has reiterated its commitment to sustained enforcement under Operation Chakra to ensure the safety of India’s digital financial ecosystem.
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