Mumbai businessman loses ₹58 crore in massive ‘digital arrest’ scam; links traced to China and Hong Kong

In one of India’s biggest “digital arrest” scams, cyber fraudsters have duped a Mumbai-based businessman of ₹58 crore by posing as officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Maharashtra Cyber Department has uncovered that the racket has international connections, with links to China, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.

According to investigators, the gang used cryptocurrency to transfer the stolen money abroad. The funds were first collected in several Indian bank accounts, converted into crypto, and then routed through multiple digital wallets to hide their origin.

“The money trail is extremely difficult to trace,” said an officer involved in the investigation. “Every transaction was layered through several wallets and exchanges.”

Sources revealed that this scam may be part of a larger ₹2,000-crore fraud network operating across India. The criminals reportedly worked on a commission basis using fake or rented bank accounts. Victims were tricked into believing they were part of an official probe and were pressured to transfer money “to cooperate with the investigation.”

The fraud came to light after the Mumbai businessman filed a complaint, saying he received a call from someone pretending to be a CBI officer. The caller intimidated him and forced him to join a video call, eventually making him transfer ₹58 crore to various accounts.

During the probe, police traced several bank accounts and digital wallets linked to the case. Authorities have now sought help from foreign law enforcement agencies through Interpol to track the overseas network.

Officials believe such scams have collectively cheated Indian citizens of over ₹2,000 crore, using digital arrest tactics and cryptocurrency manipulation to hide the money trail.