Who duped a 75-year-old man of Rs 23.56 lakh in a ‘digital arrest’ scam?
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Synopsis
In a shocking incident, a 75-year-old man was duped of Rs 23.56 lakh in a digital arrest scam orchestrated by an interstate cyber fraud gang. The Jaipur Cyber Crime Police have made significant arrests, including the kingpin, as investigations reveal a widespread network of deception targeting vulnerable individuals.
Key Takeaways
- Cyber fraud is on the rise, targeting vulnerable individuals.
- Impersonation tactics are commonly used by scammers.
- Law enforcement agencies are actively combating these scams.
- Public awareness is essential in preventing cyber crimes.
- Stay vigilant and verify any suspicious communications.
Jaipur, July 8 (NationPress) The Jaipur Cyber Crime Police have apprehended the mastermind of an interstate cyber fraud syndicate operating out of Bengaluru, Karnataka. This syndicate deceived a 75-year-old resident of Jaipur out of Rs 23.56 lakh by falsely accusing him of money laundering and threatening him with a fabricated "digital arrest."
Previously, law enforcement had detained the gang's primary account holder along with three other accomplices. Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Shantanu Kumar stated that this case traces back to May 23, 2025. The elderly victim received a call from an unidentified number, where the caller impersonated a Mumbai Police officer named Sanjay Kumar and falsely implicated him in a money laundering case involving Rs 2.80 crore, claiming an arrest warrant was issued against him.
To amplify the intimidation, the victim was connected to another fraudster posing as a CBI officer named Rohit Kumar Gupta. The scammers even orchestrated a phony court session via WhatsApp video call, featuring someone dressed as a judge who ordered the victim's arrest.
Falling victim to this intricate ploy, the elderly individual transferred Rs 23.56 lakh from his life savings to a bank account provided by the fraudsters on May 26, 2025. Following the complaint, a specialized investigation team led by SP Shantanu Kumar and DySP Neeraj Kumar Mewani initiated an exhaustive inquiry.
They found that on May 26 alone, approximately Rs 3 crore had been deposited into the suspect's account from various sources, and the money was rapidly transferred to different accounts. Acting promptly, police arrested Suresh Kumar Jat, also known as Surendra, a Jhunjhunu native currently residing in Delhi, on May 30. He was identified as the primary account holder utilized in the scam.
Further investigations led to the detention of three additional accomplices: Om Prakash, also known as Nitesh, from Sriganganagar; Vanshul, also known as Aryan or Praveen, residing in Churu; and Bhupesh Fagadia from Jhunjhunu. All three were arrested from Sonipat Jail under a production warrant and subsequently placed in judicial custody.
During questioning, the four suspects disclosed that the mastermind of the operation is Sunny Kumar Sharma, 26, son of Rajkishore Sharma, originally from Haveli Kharagpur, Munger, Bihar, and currently living in Bengaluru.
A police team comprising Sub Inspector Damodar and Constables Manoj, Suresh, and Kishan tracked Sunny to Bengaluru, where he was arrested and is currently being interrogated.
Initial investigations suggest that the gang has executed similar digital arrest scams across various cities, including Chandigarh, Sonipat, Delhi (Rohini), Patna, and Bengaluru.
Numerous cases and complaints have reportedly been lodged against them in these areas. Sunny Kumar Sharma is now in police custody, with further questioning underway to uncover the full breadth of the gang's network and to mitigate such cyber frauds in the future.
Point of View
I emphasize that this incident underscores the increasing sophistication of cyber fraud in our digital landscape. The Jaipur Cyber Crime Police's swift actions are commendable, yet it serves as a wake-up call for all citizens to remain vigilant against such deceitful practices. NationPress stands firmly in advocating for public awareness and preventive measures against cyber crimes.
NationPress
19/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the fraud case?
A 75-year-old man was duped of Rs 23.56 lakh by a cyber fraud gang that impersonated police officials and staged a fake court hearing.
How did the scammers operate?
The scammers contacted the victim, accused him of money laundering, and threatened him with a digital arrest to extract money.
What steps have the police taken?
The Jaipur Cyber Crime Police have arrested multiple suspects including the kingpin and are investigating the broader network of scams.
Where have similar scams occurred?
Similar scams have been reported in cities like Chandigarh, Sonipat, Delhi, Patna, and Bengaluru.
How can individuals protect themselves from such scams?
Individuals should be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming legal issues and verify the identity of the caller before taking any action.
