Karnataka's Biggest 'Digital Arrest' Fraud: Retired Teacher Loses Rs 24 Crore To Fake CBI Officers

The Karnataka State Cyber Command has uncovered what officials described as the state’s largest ‘digital arrest’ cyberfraud case, arresting six people accused of cheating an elderly woman out of nearly Rs 24 crore by impersonating CBI officers.

Police said swift intervention helped them recover and protect around Rs 5.46 crore linked to the fraud.

Retired Teacher Targeted Through Fake ‘Digital Arrest’

The victim, a retired teacher from Shivajinagar who had previously worked in Dubai, had reportedly sold properties in Bengaluru and Mumbai and was preparing to relocate to the United States to live with her children.

According to investigators, the accused contacted the woman through video calls and falsely claimed that her bank accounts were connected to a money laundering investigation. The fraudsters

allegedly warned her not to disclose the matter to anyone, telling her she had been placed under “digital arrest”.

Fraudsters Kept Victim Under Psychological Pressure

Police said the accused manipulated and intimidated the woman for several months, from January to May this year, creating constant fear and psychological pressure.

During this period, they allegedly convinced her to transfer nearly Rs 24 crore through RTGS transactions into 22 separate bank accounts under the pretext of “fund verification” and “clearance procedures”.

Investigators said the accused continued demanding additional money even after receiving the massive amount.

Bank Officials Alert Police After Suspicious Gold Loan Attempt

The fraud reportedly came to light after the woman approached a private bank in Bengaluru seeking to pledge around 1.3 kg of gold jewellery to arrange more funds.

Bank officials became suspicious about the transaction and alerted the police.

Cybercrime officers later questioned the woman, who revealed she believed she was under “digital arrest”. After officers explained the scam and assured her that no such legal procedure existed, she formally lodged a complaint.

Police Freeze Accounts, Recover Crores

During the investigation, police traced several bank accounts allegedly used to move and launder the stolen money.

Authorities froze multiple mule accounts through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, helping save more than Rs 4 crore. Another Rs 1.46 crore was recovered later through court orders.

Police also seized six mobile phones allegedly used by the accused during the operation.

Six Accused Arrested From Multiple States

The six arrested individuals have been identified as N Sivagnanam from Tamil Nadu, Akkach Mallick from Mumbai, Palak Bhai Patel and Amit Narendra Patel from Gujarat, Om Prakash Rajput from New Delhi and Gaurav Kumar from Bihar.

Officials said the accused were part of a wider organised cyberfraud network operating across multiple states.

Wider Investigation Underway

Karnataka State Cyber Command Director General of Police Pronab Mohanty said further investigation is continuing to identify additional members of the fraud network and trace the remaining money.

Police are also examining whether the accused were connected to similar ‘digital arrest’ scams reported in other parts of the country.