The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made significant progress in a cybercrime investigation known as the “digital arrest” scams, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals who were part of a larger syndicate. This action follows a recent warning from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed the public about such scams in his monthly radio program ‘Mann ki Baat.’
The ED filed a prosecution complaint after analyzing numerous police FIRs related to these scams, which have reportedly defrauded victims across the country to the tune of ₹159 crore. The accused, identified as Charan Raj C, Kiran S K, Shahi Kumar M, Sachin M, Tamilarasan, Prakash R, Ajith R, and Aravindan, are currently in judicial custody. They operated 24 shell companies across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and other states to facilitate money laundering activities.
These fraudsters implemented various tactics to avoid detection, including obtaining hundreds of SIM cards linked to the shell companies’ bank accounts. They used these SIM cards to create fake WhatsApp accounts, allowing them to communicate with victims while maintaining anonymity. The ED reported that the scammers utilized “mule” accounts to transfer the proceeds of their crimes, converting the money into cryptocurrency and transferring it abroad.
In a statement, the ED revealed that the shell companies were registered at co-working spaces with no actual business operations and used fake bank statements to mislead authorities about their legitimacy. The agency has confiscated incriminating evidence, including cheque books and communication records, which substantiate the involvement of the accused in a wider syndicate responsible for laundering cybercrime proceeds from India.
In light of these developments, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) issued a fresh advisory, urging the public to remain vigilant against “digital arrests.” The I4C reminded citizens that individuals making video calls, purporting to be law enforcement officials, are likely to be fraudsters. The advisory particularly emphasized the need to report such scams immediately through the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or via the official portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
Digital arrest scams typically involve criminals impersonating law enforcement officials and making alarming accusations against vulnerable individuals, especially senior citizens. The scammers often conduct video calls to intimidate their targets into transferring large sums of money as penalties for alleged financial crimes.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are working diligently to dismantle this network and prevent further scams, emphasizing the importance of public awareness and timely reporting to combat cybercrime effectively.
Sources By Agencies
