The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet against five accused, including a company, in connection with a digital arrest fraud case in Kerala, the agency confirmed on Tuesday, 28 April 2025. A senior citizen was defrauded of over ₹1.8 crore through fake notices purporting to be issued by law enforcement and judicial authorities, with cyber criminals maintaining contact via video calls.

The Accused and the Charge Sheet

The charge sheet, filed on Saturday, names four individuals — C.S. Saleeshkumar, Blessin Jacob Abraham, Mohammed Junaid Hussain, and Mohammad Mushtaque — along with a company, JCSS Capital International Pvt Ltd. Three of the five charge-sheeted accused are currently in judicial custody.

This case was registered by the CBI on 24 November 2025, acting on directions from the Kerala High Court. The arrested individuals include two persons who operated bank accounts used to receive proceeds of the crime, one accused who sourced such accounts and supplied them to cyber criminals, and another who allegedly played a key role in fraudulently issuing the SIM cards used to contact the victim.

How the Fraud Was Carried Out

The victim, a senior citizen, was intimidated using fake notices that falsely claimed to originate from law enforcement agencies and judicial authorities. Scammers maintained sustained contact over video calls, placing the victim in what is described as virtual custody — a hallmark of digital arrest fraud. The CBI noted that such tactics rely heavily on psychological coercion, creating an atmosphere of fear to compel victims into transferring large sums of money.

Investigation so far points to the involvement of transnational organised groups operating from scam compounds in South-East Asia, a pattern increasingly identified in cybercrime cases targeting Indian citizens.

The Surge in Digital Arrest Cases Across India

Digital arrest fraud is rapidly emerging as one of the most serious cybercrime threats in India. Reported cases surged from approximately 39,000 in 2022 to over 1.2 lakh in 2024, according to available data. Notably, these scams are no longer confined to less digitally literate populations — educated individuals and senior citizens have increasingly become targets of high-pressure, psychologically coercive schemes.

Scammers typically impersonate officials from agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Enforcement Directorate, or the Narcotics Control Bureau, fabricating arrest warrants and court orders to create a sense of urgency and panic.

CBI's Warning and Public Advisory

The CBI reiterated its commitment to taking stringent legal action against individuals and entities that facilitate cybercrime by allowing the misuse of banking and telecom infrastructure. The agency explicitly emphasised that there is no legal concept of a digital arrest under Indian law, and urged citizens not to panic or comply with such calls.

The public has been advised to remain vigilant against fraudulent investment schemes and impersonation calls made in the name of law enforcement or regulatory agencies. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the appropriate authorities or the national cybercrime portal. As investigations continue to trace transnational links, the case is expected to shed further light on the organised networks enabling such fraud against Indian citizens.