Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 3: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three individuals following coordinated searches at seven locations in Odisha and Rajasthan in connection with a Rs 2.07-crore 'digital arrest' fraud, in which a retired government official was allegedly duped into transferring money after being threatened with fabricated legal consequences.
The agency said the raids were carried out on June 30 as part of an investigation initiated on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The CBI had registered the case on March 25 after receiving allegations that cyber criminals, impersonating officials from law enforcement and regulatory agencies, intimidated the victim by falsely claiming involvement in legal proceedings. Acting under pressure, the retired public servant allegedly transferred Rs 2.07 crore through multiple banking transactions.
The three arrested accused have been identified as Bibekananda Dixit and Jayant Kumar Acharya, both residents of Odisha's Balasore district, and Kanhaiya Lal from Nagaur district in Rajasthan.
Investigators said the accused were allegedly responsible for routing the defrauded money through a web of bank accounts in an attempt to disguise its origin and facilitate its movement across the cyber fraud network.
The investigation further revealed that the siphoned funds were eventually transferred into a bank account operated in the name of a trust. The arrested individuals are suspected of playing a key role in managing, distributing and concealing the proceeds through multiple layers of financial transactions to avoid detection by investigative agencies.
During the searches, CBI teams recovered several incriminating documents, electronic gadgets and digital evidence, which officials believe could help uncover additional members of the organised cyber fraud syndicate.
The agency said further investigation is in progress to trace other beneficiaries, associates and facilitators linked to the racket.
The CBI also urged the public to remain vigilant against cyber criminals who pose as police officers, government officials or regulators, warning that fraudsters frequently use fake investment offers, impersonation calls and threats of so-called "digital arrests" to extort money from unsuspecting victims.