In a major crackdown on cybercrime, police have arrested five individuals involved in large-scale digital arrest and stock market-related frauds, with suspected proceeds exceeding Rs140 crore, officials said on Sunday.
In one of the key cases, two accused — Anish Singh and Mani Singh — were taken into custody for their role in a sophisticated digital arrest scam linked to at least 190 cybercrime complaints and fraudulent transactions worth over RS100 crore.
The arrests came after a complaint filed by a homemaker who alleged she was psychologically harassed and intimidated for nearly two months, ultimately being coerced into transferring Rs40 lakh.
According to police, the victim was kept under what is known as “digital arrest” between October 15 and December 12 last year. Fraudsters impersonating senior police officials threatened her with arrest, legal consequences, and public humiliation.
One of the callers posed as an IPS officer from the Mumbai Cyber Crime unit and falsely accused the woman of involvement in criminal activities linked to her Aadhaar credentials. The call was later transferred to a woman claiming to be another police official, who used video and audio calls to display forged FIRs and fake arrest warrants.
The accused further warned that the victim’s husband and son would also be implicated if she failed to comply. She was instructed not to speak to anyone and was made to report daily to confirm her silence.
Under sustained fear and psychological pressure, the woman transferred ₹40 lakh through multiple transactions. Even after receiving the money, the fraudsters continued to manipulate her by offering false assurances of verification and refunds, prolonging her mental trauma.
Police said investigations are ongoing to trace additional victims and recover the remaining proceeds of the crime.
