Delhi Cyber Cell Busts ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam; Six Held for Defrauding Elderly Woman of ₹49 Lakh

In a major crackdown on organised cyber-enabled crime, the Cyber Cell of the Delhi Crime Branch has busted a syndicate running “Digital Arrest” scams and arrested six people for cheating a 71-year-old woman of ₹49 lakh, officials said on Sunday.

The case came to light after the elderly woman filed an FIR stating that she had been kept under “digital confinement” for nearly 24 hours. During this time, the fraudsters allegedly intimidated her by posing as law-enforcement officials and manipulated her into transferring her life savings.

According to the police, the gang used psychological pressure, threats of legal action, and technical tricks to convince the victim that she was involved in a fabricated criminal case. Under fear, she transferred ₹49 lakh to several bank accounts controlled by the group.

“The syndicate impersonated police officials and government agencies to intimidate victims — a hallmark of the Digital Arrest scam,” the Delhi Police said. The scammers allegedly routed the stolen money through multiple mule accounts and withdrew it later from ATMs to avoid detection.

After multiple complaints surfaced on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, police teams launched coordinated raids across Aminabad, Hasanganj, Madey Ganj and Sadar Cantt areas of Lucknow. With the help of technical surveillance and ground intelligence, the Crime Branch tracked down several suspects involved in operating mule bank accounts.

Those arrested have been identified as Mohd. Ovais (25), a flex-printing shop worker; Vishal Tiwari (19), a first-year student employed at a grocery chain; Shakeel Ahmad (53), a tailor already facing trial in another case; Mohd. Ahad (25), unemployed; and Mohd. Atif (25) and Mohd. Ujjaib (25), both working at private hotels.

Police say further investigation is underway to trace other members of the network and the masterminds behind the operation. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious of callers posing as police or government officers — a common tactic used in rising digital-arrest scams across the country.