Panaji: The cyber crime unit of the Goa Police has cracked a ₹67-lakh online investment fraud, arresting a resident of Kerala in a case that highlights both the growing sophistication of digital scams and the increasing push for technology-led policing.
The case originated from a complaint filed by a resident of Caranzalem in Tiswadi, who alleged that he was cheated between October 1 and October 24, 2025. According to police, the victim was contacted on WhatsApp by an individual posing as a representative of a fictitious investment firm. The fraudster lured him with promises of high returns through a scheme promoted as a global ETF-based investment and directed him to operate through a fake trading application.
Investigators said the scam relied on impersonation of a reputed investment entity, professional-looking digital interfaces and sustained communication to build credibility. After the victim transferred substantial funds, access to the application was gradually restricted and communication from the operators stopped, prompting him to approach the authorities.
A detailed technical investigation involving call data records, IP analysis and bank transaction tracking led police to Thiruvananthapuram. A Goa Police team subsequently travelled to Kerala and arrested Anuraj R, a resident of the city. He was produced before a court and remanded to police custody for further interrogation.
Financial analysis revealed that ₹28 lakh from the complainant’s money was credited to the accused’s bank account at the initial stage, before being routed through multiple other accounts. Police officials said this rapid movement of funds, known as “layering,” is commonly used by cyber fraud networks to conceal the money trail.
Further scrutiny showed that the same bank account had links to at least four other cyber fraud cases reported from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Goa, with a combined fraud value exceeding ₹54 lakh. Investigators are now probing whether the accused acted as a money mule or played a more active role in recruiting victims for a larger inter-state syndicate.
The arrest coincided with the Goa Police announcing the establishment of a dedicated cyber intelligence centre aimed at speeding up investigations. The new facility will integrate cyber forensics, financial intelligence and inter-state coordination to enable faster identification of suspects, quicker freezing of fraudulent accounts and improved information-sharing with banks and other law enforcement agencies.
Officials said the centre will focus on real-time monitoring of phishing domains, malicious mobile applications and social media channels commonly used by scammers. With cyber criminals increasingly exploiting messaging platforms and app-based interfaces, the initiative is expected to help prevent fraud and improve recovery rates.
Police once again cautioned the public against unsolicited investment offers promising guaranteed or unusually high returns. Citizens have been advised to verify investment firms through official regulatory bodies, avoid downloading trading apps from private links, and report suspected fraud immediately to ensure swift action.
Custodial interrogation of the accused is ongoing, and police said further arrests may follow as the investigation expands across states and additional money trails are examined.
