Vizianagaram: Digital arrest scam busted, five arrested

According to SP Vakul Jindal, the scam came to light when retired lecturer U. Sujatha Kumari from Vizianagaram reported being duped out of ₹40.11 lakh. On October 10, 2024, she received a call from an individual impersonating a police officer, claiming that drugs had been found in a parcel sent by her and that she was under a ‘digital arrest.’ The caller instructed her to transfer money to avoid legal consequences, promising the funds would be returned after verification.

Following her complaint, the police froze ₹20 lakh in the accused bank accounts. A team led by One Town Inspector S. Srinivas utilised technological tools to trace the transactions and identify the suspects. The primary accused, Mumin Tariq Bhat from Jammu and Kashmir, admitted to renting out his bank account to cybercriminals for a commission. His information led investigators to other members of the gang operating from Maharashtra—Khasiddhi Chandrakant Sutar, Clevin Glen Britto, Nitin Nandalal Saroj, and Saif Talami Damand—who were also arrested.

The gang allegedly used Telegram to coordinate their activities and has been linked to multiple fraud cases across India under the guise of digital arrests. The police seized cash, gold ornaments, and six mobile phones from the suspects. The SP revealed that three additional accomplices remain at large but are under surveillance as authorities continue their search.