The Pune Cyber Police have arrested a 28-year-old man from Raigad district in connection with a high-profile ‘digital arrest’ scam that cost a senior citizen Rs6.29 crore.
The accused, Tushar Harishchandra Vajantri, a resident of Kokban in Raigad, was apprehended in Panvel on Friday. His arrest follows a complaint filed between November 9 and 19, 2024, when the victim reported being falsely accused in a fabricated criminal case via a video call.
Impersonating law enforcement and government officials, the scammers coerced the senior citizen by claiming he was under investigation for illegal activities. Under pressure, the victim transferred Rs6.29 crore to avoid supposed legal action and a “digital arrest.”
Investigators found that Vajantri, acting as a mule account holder, had created two fixed deposits worth Rs90 lakh and Rs20 lakh. Authorities tracked him using digital surveillance, IP tracking, and banking transaction data. He was brought to Pune for further questioning.
A formal case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Police have also frozen multiple bank accounts linked to the fraud.
