A retired factory employee was allegedly cheated of nearly ₹63 lakh in a "digital arrest" cyber fraud, after scammers posing as officials threatened him and pressured him into transferring money. Dewas Police later traced the alleged network across several states and arrested 12 suspected cyber fraudsters from 17 states, as part of a 127-day investigation.
How the Fraud Began
The victim, Suresh Ingale, approached Cyber Helpline 1930 after losing the money. According to the complaint, the fraud began in March 2026, when people contacted him through phone and video calls while posing as officials from the Customs Department, Mumbai Crime Branch, and the Central Bureau of Investigation. The callers allegedly claimed that a case had been registered against him and threatened him with arrest. Under sustained pressure, Ingale transferred money into different bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
₹63 Lakh Transferred Under Threat
Police said the victim was subjected to a digital arrest scam, in which the fraudsters used the names of government and investigative agencies to create fear and convince him he was facing genuine legal action. For nearly eight days, the accused allegedly obtained information about the victim's bank accounts and investments, then instructed him to transfer money from different accounts, all in the name of a fabricated investigation.
Ingale filed a complaint on April 3, after realising he had been cheated. Dewas Police registered an FIR on April 4 and began investigating the financial and digital trail connected with these transactions. The investigation continued for 127 days, involving around 70 personnel working across different teams to trace the suspects and follow the movement of money through multiple bank accounts.
Tracing the Network Across 17 States
Superintendent of Police Puneet Gehlod said investigators examined several bookkeeping services in India-style bank account records, mobile numbers, and money transactions during the probe, systematically piecing together how funds moved across the network. Technical analysis eventually led police to an alleged cyber fraud network spread across multiple parts of the country.
Police teams travelled around 58,000 kilometres and conducted searches in 33 districts across 17 states, before arresting 12 alleged cyber fraudsters. The operation covered states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Bihar, as well as Delhi. Police said 11 of the 12 accused were sent to jail, while one accused from West Bengal was still being questioned at the time of the report.
Investigators also recovered 54 mobile phones and 84 SIM cards from the accused, according to the report. Police are now examining the roles played by each arrested individual, including the bank accounts and communication channels allegedly used to receive and move the fraud proceeds.
Police Warn: "Digital Arrest" Isn't Real
Police have urged people not to panic if someone claiming to be a police officer or investigative agency official contacts them through a video call or telephone and demands money. SP Puneet Gehlod stressed there is no legitimate procedure called "digital arrest" anywhere in Indian law. People receiving such calls should never transfer money under pressure, and should always independently verify claims made by callers posing as government officials before taking any action.
Police advised victims of suspected cyber fraud to immediately report the matter through Cyber Helpline 1930. This case really illustrates how digital arrest scams rely on impersonation, threats, and prolonged psychological pressure to convince victims they're genuinely under official investigation. In this instance, police said the investigation eventually led them across 17 states, as they traced bank accounts, mobile numbers, and transactions linked to this alleged fraud network.
FAQs
Q1. How much money did the victim lose in this digital arrest scam?
Suresh Ingale, a retired factory employee, was allegedly cheated of nearly ₹63 lakh after fraudsters posed as officials from the Customs Department, Mumbai Crime Branch, and CBI, threatening him over an eight-day period.
Q2. How extensive was the police investigation into this case?
The investigation spanned 127 days, involved around 70 personnel, covered 58,000 kilometres of travel, and included searches across 33 districts in 17 states before 12 arrests were made.
Q3. What should someone do if they receive a similar "digital arrest" call?
Police advise not to panic or transfer money under pressure, to independently verify any claims made by callers posing as officials, and to immediately report suspected fraud through Cyber Helpline 1930.