A Kolkata resident allegedly lost ₹3.26 crore after a group of cyber fraudsters, posing as Mumbai Crime Branch officers, subjected him to a prolonged "digital arrest" and threatened him with immediate physical arrest. The accused allegedly used forged CBI documents, fake bank account-freeze orders, and official-looking notices to convince the victim he was under investigation in a criminal case.
Three Men Arrested
The Bidhannagar cybercrime police have arrested three men in connection with this case, identified as Biku Kumar, 24, Durant Patra, 28, and Mohammad Zayed, 46. Police said the three are residents of Kolkata and Howrah and are currently being interrogated as part of the investigation.
The victim initially approached New Town police in January this year, after allegedly realising he'd been cheated. The complaint was subsequently transferred to the cybercrime unit, and investigators spent around seven months examining the financial trail, bank accounts, and technical evidence before tracing the suspected members of the syndicate.
The Scam Begins: A Fake Aadhaar Link to Crime
According to investigators, the fraud began when the victim received a call from people claiming to be officials of the Mumbai Crime Branch. The callers allegedly told him his Aadhaar details had been linked to criminal complaints involving 24 people.
When the victim denied having any connection with a Mumbai-registered SIM card, the callers allegedly intensified the pressure rather than ending the conversation, reportedly telling him he was being investigated jointly by the CBI and police, and that failure to cooperate could result in immediate arrest.
The fraudsters allegedly sent digitally prepared "arrest" notices and purported bank account-freeze orders to make the allegations appear genuine. The victim was also allegedly instructed not to leave his home without permission, and was warned that police personnel could arrive to take him into custody if he failed to follow their directions.
₹3.26 Crore Transferred During Prolonged Intimidation
Fearing legal consequences, the victim allegedly followed the instructions given by the fraudsters. During the course of the scam, he liquidated shares and mutual fund investments and also transferred cash, with the total amount allegedly reaching ₹3,26,84,000.
This money was transferred into bank accounts allegedly controlled or operated by members of the fraud network. After realising the entire investigation was fabricated, the victim approached the police.
Cybercrime investigators subsequently began tracking the movement of the money through multiple bank accounts. This kind of careful, extended financial reconstruction closely mirrors the work reliable auditing services in India perform, systematically tracing transactions across months of records to expose exactly how illicit funds moved. Technical clues and transaction records ultimately helped investigators identify the suspected members of the syndicate, leading to the arrest of the three accused.
Why "Digital Arrest" Scams Work
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said such scams succeed because fraudsters combine impersonation, psychological pressure, and financial manipulation. According to him, victims are deliberately kept engaged on calls for extended periods, giving them little opportunity to independently verify the claims being made against them.
He said the use of forged government documents and references to agencies like the CBI or Crime Branch is intended to create an immediate sense of legal danger. Once a victim becomes convinced that arrest is imminent, scammers can manipulate financial decisions that would otherwise appear entirely unreasonable to a calm, rational person.
The expert said investigations into such cases should trace not only the individuals making the calls, but also the bank accounts, SIM cards, digital devices, mule accounts, and financial channels used to move the stolen money.
Police Issue a Warning
The Kolkata police have issued an advisory highlighting several warning signs associated with digital arrest scams. Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not keep citizens under prolonged video surveillance or place them under "virtual detention." Police also clarified that no genuine criminal investigation requires a person to transfer money or liquidate legitimate investments to prove their innocence, and citizens are never required to keep a supposed investigation secret from family members or legal advisers.
This case comes amid growing concern over digital arrest fraud across India. In July 2025, a West Bengal court sentenced nine people to life imprisonment in a digital arrest fraud case, marking a significant conviction linked to this emerging form of cybercrime.
Despite repeated public awareness campaigns, fraudsters continue to exploit fear of police action, CBI investigations, money laundering allegations, and account freezes. Investigators believe the Kolkata case again highlights how criminals can convert a fabricated legal threat into a major financial loss, by keeping victims isolated, intimidated, and continuously engaged on phone or video calls.
FAQs
Q1. How much money did the Kolkata victim lose in this digital arrest scam?
The victim allegedly lost ₹3.26 crore after liquidating shares and mutual fund investments and transferring cash, following prolonged threats from fraudsters posing as Mumbai Crime Branch officers.
Q2. How long did investigators take to trace and arrest the accused?
Investigators spent around seven months examining the financial trail, bank accounts, and technical evidence before tracing and arresting the three suspected members of the syndicate.
Q3. What warning signs did Kolkata police highlight for digital arrest scams?
Police clarified that legitimate agencies never conduct prolonged video surveillance or "virtual detention," and no genuine investigation requires transferring money or liquidating investments to prove innocence.