Kanpur cybercrime police have arrested a man from Bihar in connection with an alleged digital arrest fraud that reportedly cost a senior doctor approximately ₹48 lakh. The accused, identified as Rajiv Ranjan, a resident of Salkhua in Bihar’s Saharsa district, allegedly received the money through a bank account linked to the suspected fraud network.
Investigators are examining his mobile phone, banking records and possible connections with other individuals suspected of helping receive and transfer the money.
The case involves allegations of impersonation, intimidation and fraudulent financial transactions, with police continuing to investigate the wider network.
How Was the Kanpur Doctor Targeted?
The complainant, Yogesh Chandra Mishra, a resident of the Swaroop Nagar area of Kanpur, was allegedly contacted by individuals posing as senior officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
According to the complaint, the callers claimed that the doctor was involved in a serious criminal investigation relating to financial irregularities. They allegedly threatened him with arrest and legal consequences involving his family.
The callers also instructed him not to contact other people or approach the police.
Under the pressure created by these threats, the doctor reportedly transferred approximately ₹48 lakh to bank accounts specified by the alleged fraudsters.
The incident follows a pattern of digital arrest scams in which criminals impersonate law-enforcement officials and use fabricated legal claims to frighten victims into transferring money.
How Did Police Trace the Bihar Suspect?
During the investigation, cybercrime officials examined the bank transactions through which the money had allegedly been transferred.
This financial examination reportedly led investigators to a bank account associated with Rajiv Ranjan of Salkhua in Bihar’s Saharsa district.
Police subsequently arrested him and recovered a mobile phone for further examination.
Investigators are now examining whether the account was used to receive money from the complainant and whether the accused had connections with other individuals involved in moving the suspected proceeds.
His arrest represents another development in an investigation in which three other individuals had reportedly been taken into custody earlier.
What Did Investigators Find in the Bank Accounts?
Police are examining financial records, mobile devices and transaction histories to identify additional accounts and possible links between the suspects.
According to the report, investigators identified four cybercrime complaints associated with the bank accounts through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. These complaints involved an estimated combined amount of ₹1,42,68,000.
The investigation also uncovered allegations involving a company named Baukoyo Contractors Pvt Ltd. Police suspect that the firm was established using forged identification documents.
Approximately ₹25.98 lakh was reportedly deposited into the company's account through 15 transactions before being moved through 611 subsequent transactions.
Investigators are examining these transfers to establish the movement of funds and determine whether the company was used as part of the alleged financial network.
The transaction figures are an important part of the investigation, although the full relationship between the company, account holders and the original complainant remains subject to verification.
Who Else Has Been Arrested in the Case?
Police had previously arrested three individuals identified as Vasu, Atish Kumar and Kanchan Prajapati.
Another suspect, Mukul Chaubey, a resident of Kanpur Nagar, has reportedly been declared wanted.
Investigators are examining whether other people helped arrange bank accounts, receive payments or transfer money through different entities.
The authorities are also looking into the possibility that multiple accounts were used to move the alleged proceeds and make the financial trail more difficult to follow.
What Legal Action Has Been Initiated?
The case was registered at the Cybercrime Police Station in Kanpur Nagar under Sections 318(4), 338 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 66D of the Information Technology Act.
The provisions cited in the case concern cheating, forgery-related offences, criminal conspiracy and cheating through personation using computer resources.
Police are continuing to examine the financial transactions, digital evidence and connections between the suspects. Further action may follow as investigators establish the alleged roles of the individuals and entities involved.
Digital Arrest Scams Highlight the Need for Financial Awareness
The Kanpur case illustrates how criminals may exploit fear of legal action to obtain money from unsuspecting individuals. Government agencies and law-enforcement authorities do not conduct investigations by demanding that people transfer money into personal or private accounts for verification.
Anyone receiving suspicious calls claiming to be from an investigating agency should independently verify the communication through official channels rather than relying on the caller's claims.
Prompt reporting of suspicious transactions and proper examination of financial records can also help authorities trace suspected fraud proceeds. Individuals and organisations can seek Shunyatax's financial investigation and forensic support when reviewing suspicious transactions and financial irregularities.