Digital Arrest Scam: In a landmark decision that underscores the growing sophistication of cybercrime in India, a sessions court in Kalyani, Nadia district, has convicted nine people involved in Bengal’s first recorded “digital arrest” scam, a cyber-extortion racket that defrauded a businessman of nearly ₹1 crore.
The case, which dates back to October 2024, exposed a coordinated interstate and international operation run through internet-based calls from Cambodia using Indian SIM cards. It is part of a larger national network of organized cyber fraudsters who have exploited psychological manipulation, false identities, and digital channels to target unsuspecting individuals across India.
The Crime: Arrest by Phone, Fear by Design
In October last year, Partha Kumar Mukhopadhyay, a resident of Ranaghat, received a WhatsApp call from a person claiming to be a police officer from Mumbai. He was told he was under investigation for money laundering and narcotics involvement, and unless he complied with certain “legal formalities,” a digital arrest would be enforced. The scammers demanded that he stay under constant video surveillance and transfer funds to multiple bank accounts “to avoid arrest.”
Under duress and fear, the victim ended up transferring around ₹98 lakh in instalments to several bank accounts controlled by the racket.
The Modus Operandi: Sophisticated and Psychological
The racket mimicked genuine law enforcement procedures, complete with fabricated FIRs, bogus call centers, and impersonation of officers from Mumbai Police, CBI, and other enforcement agencies.
Key features of the scam included:
- Use of WhatsApp and international VoIP numbers to impersonate police officials.
- Fake video calls showing individuals in uniform seated in staged police stations.
- Psychological threats including references to Section 420, money laundering, and cyber laws.
- Instruction to isolate the victim, preventing them from contacting lawyers or family.
- Demands for money transfers into multiple bank accounts, many of which were created using fake IDs.
Digital Arrest Scam: Investigation and Arrests
The Bengal police cyber cell tracked the money trail and communication links across multiple states. Based on digital forensics, call logs, and account tracing, 13 people were arrested, including individuals from West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Haryana.
The court found nine accused guilty, while four others are still under judicial consideration. The verdict was passed by the Additional District and Sessions Court, Kalyani, on July 17, 2025.
The investigation involved:
- Analysis of mobile tower locations, IP addresses, and VoIP logs.
- Coordination with state police from Mumbai, Vadodara, and Gurugram.
- Tracking of over 25 bank accounts and SIM registrations.
- Testimony from 29 witnesses, including bank managers, telecom officials, and cyber experts.
Legal Proceedings and Verdict
The prosecution charged the accused under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:
- Section 419 (impersonation)
- Section 420 (cheating)
- Section 384 (extortion)
- Relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act, including Section 66C (identity theft) and 66D (impersonation using computer resources).
After months of hearing, the judge delivered a detailed verdict affirming the coordinated nature of the crime, the use of digital infrastructure to instill fear, and the premeditated intent to defraud. Sentencing is expected to be announced within the next week, with the prosecution seeking strong custodial punishment to deter future digital crimes.
The Broader Pattern: Not an Isolated Incident
This incident is part of a rising tide of “digital arrest” scams spreading across India. Similar cases have been reported in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Victims range from tech professionals to retired citizens, all manipulated using fear, legal jargon, and video-call intimidation.
Law enforcement agencies believe the scam syndicates are based largely in Southeast Asia, especially in countries like Cambodia and Myanmar, operating via trafficked workers and coerced labor in call centers targeting Indian citizens.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier issued a national advisory warning citizens against such scams and instructing them to never transfer money under pressure or fear without verifying the authenticity of the caller.
Reactions from Authorities
Cyber Cell Officer Debasish Sarkar, who led the investigation, said:
“This is not just a scam, it is psychological warfare. The aim is to terrorize innocent people into submission. These convictions send a strong message: digital fraud has consequences.”
Legal experts welcomed the verdict as a milestone in digital crime jurisprudence in India, urging state governments to expand cybercrime training for police, invest in forensic technology, and collaborate with international bodies to disrupt such networks at their source.
Precautionary Measures for the Public
Authorities urge all citizens to keep these safety tips in mind:
- No real police officer will ever demand money over a phone call.
- Digital arrests do not exist under Indian law.
- Avoid responding to unsolicited video calls claiming to be from law enforcement.
- Report incidents immediately to cybercrime.gov.in or the local police.
- Verify any legal claims independently before making financial decisions.
Future Outlook
With the sentencing phase upcoming, this case sets a precedent for addressing the digital nature of modern scams. State cyber cells across India are expected to intensify scrutiny on similar operations, with inter-state and international collaboration on the horizon.
The case also raises larger concerns about SIM card regulations, bank KYC processes, and cross-border cyber treaties, prompting calls for policy reforms at the national level.
External Links & Resources
- National Cybercrime Reporting Portal: https://cybercrime.gov.in
- Ministry of Home Affairs – Cyber Crime Division: https://www.mha.gov.in
- Indian Penal Code – Section 420, 419: https://indiacode.nic.in
- IT Act Sections 66C & 66D: https://meity.gov.in
- Cyber Safety Tips by CERT-IN: https://www.cert-in.org.in
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