Cops nab U'khand youth in ₹82 lakh digital arrest fraud case

Lucknow: Raebareli police have arrested a Class XII pass man from Uttarakhand for his alleged role in an organised ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraud racket that duped a local couple of ₹82 lakh, officials said on Friday.

The accused, identified as Abhijeet Singh Jatav, a resident of Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttarakhand, was arrested on Apr 23 from near Siya Kabristan under the Kotwali Nagar police station limits following a tip-off.

Circle officer, City, Arun Kumar, who worked out the case, said that an FIR was registered on Apr 18 after complainant Suryabhan Singh alleged that he and his wife were virtually “held hostage” through continuous video calls by fraudsters posing as officials from agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), banks and law enforcement. The accused allegedly threatened the couple with legal action, falsely claiming their bank accounts were linked to terror and illegal activities, and coerced them into transferring ₹82 lakh via RTGS into multiple accounts.

An FIR was lodged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act at Kotwali Nagar police station, following which multiple police teams were formed to crack the case.

“During interrogation, Abhijeet confessed to being part of an organised cyber fraud gang that specifically targets financially well-off individuals. The gang allegedly identifies potential victims, then initiates video calls to intimidate them by posing as senior officials. Victims are told they are under “digital arrest” and are forced to transfer money under the threat of legal consequences,” said the CO.

“The gang uses psychological pressure and fear tactics to isolate victims and control them remotely,” a police official said.

Police have so far managed to freeze ₹36.9 lakh from various bank accounts linked to the fraud. Based on evidence gathered, additional charges have been invoked, including provisions related to cheating and cyber fraud under the IT Act.

The accused has been sent to judicial custody, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest other members of the racket. Police are also coordinating with banks and cyber units to trace the money trail and uncover the wider network involved in the scam.