Panaji, April 24: The Goa Cyber Police arrested a 48-year-old Maharashtra resident, Dayanand Baburao Devalkar, on Friday, April 24, for allegedly orchestrating a digital arrest fraud that swindled a Quepem, Goa resident of Rs 61.84 lakh. Devalkar, a native of Ajara in Kolhapur district, was apprehended following a rigorous technical investigation by the Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) office, Raibandar. The case marks one of the largest single-victim digital arrest scams reported in Goa in recent months.

How the Fraud Was Executed

The elaborate cyber fraud was set in motion on April 13, when the victim filed a complaint with Goa Cyber Police. According to investigators, the fraudsters contacted the complainant through a WhatsApp number, impersonating officers of the Mumbai Crime Branch. They fabricated serious allegations of money laundering and claimed the victim had links to the banned organisation, Popular Front of India (PFI).

To add credibility to their threats, the accused shared forged documents — including a fraudulent bank statement and a fake arrest warrant — designed to intimidate and psychologically overpower the victim. The complainant was then placed under a so-called 'digital arrest', a tactic where victims are kept under continuous video surveillance and coerced into believing they are under official custody.

Under extreme duress, the victim transferred a total of Rs 61,84,200 to settle the fabricated case. The funds were routed into Devalkar's bank account before being dispersed across multiple accounts held by his associates — a hallmark of organised cyber fraud syndicates designed to obscure the money trail.

Arrest Operation and Investigating Team

A dedicated police team, led by Sub-Inspector Navin Naik along with Constable Sidaramaiyya Math and Constable Vinay Amonkar, conducted a targeted raid in Ajara, Kolhapur to secure the arrest. The swift inter-state operation highlights the growing coordination between Goa's cyber crime unit and Maharashtra law enforcement channels.

The investigation is being overseen by Inspector Deepak Pednekar, under the direct supervision of Assistant Superintendent of Police BV Sridevi and Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Raju Raut Desai. Authorities are now working to map the secondary bank accounts linked to Devalkar's associates to dismantle the broader syndicate.

Rising Wave of Digital Arrest Scams in Goa

This arrest is not an isolated incident — it is part of a disturbing pattern of digital arrest scams that have been escalating across Goa. In February 2025, a Porvorim resident lost nearly Rs 15 lakh in a similar scheme involving fraudsters posing as fake narcotics officials. In late 2023, the Goa Police issued a public advisory after multiple professionals reported being held hostage on video calls for hours by individuals impersonating Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers.

The PFI angle used in this case is particularly alarming — fraudsters are now weaponising the public fear of terrorism-linked accusations to extract large sums. This psychological manipulation tactic, combined with fake legal documents, creates a near-impossible situation for victims to resist without legal counsel.

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

The arrested accused, Dayanand Baburao Devalkar, has been produced before the court, with police seeking formal custody to conduct further interrogation. Investigators are actively tracing the network of secondary bank accounts to identify and apprehend other members of the cyber fraud syndicate.

Cyber crime experts note that digital arrest frauds typically involve multiple layers of money mules — individuals who knowingly or unknowingly allow their bank accounts to be used for routing stolen funds. Identifying and prosecuting these mules is critical to dismantling the full operation.

What Citizens Must Know to Stay Safe

Indian law enforcement agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), have repeatedly clarified that no legitimate government agency conducts arrests via video calls or WhatsApp. Citizens receiving such threats are advised to immediately disconnect, report to the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930), and consult a legal professional before making any payment.

As Goa Cyber Police intensify their crackdown, the coming weeks are likely to see further arrests as investigators follow the digital money trail deeper into the syndicate's operations. The case is a stark reminder that cyber fraud in India is no longer a low-stakes petty crime — it is an organised, high-value criminal enterprise targeting ordinary citizens with surgical psychological precision.