New Delhi | Delhi Police have cracked down on a major online extortion syndicate involved in the increasingly rampant “digital arrest” fraud, arresting six members of the gang from multiple locations in Lucknow. The breakthrough came during the probe into a complaint filed by a 71-year-old woman who was duped of ₹49 lakh after being held under “digital confinement” for nearly 24 hours by cybercriminals posing as law-enforcement officials.
Victim Intimidated Through Continuous Video Calls
According to investigators, the fraudsters contacted the elderly woman claiming she was linked to a criminal case. They then kept her under constant pressure through back-to-back video calls, impersonating police and other authorities. Terrified and confused, the woman eventually transferred the money into several bank accounts controlled by the network.
Raids Conducted Across Lucknow
During the investigation, Crime Branch teams conducted simultaneous raids in Aminabad, Hasanganj, Madey Ganj, and Sadar Cantt, resulting in the arrests of six operatives.
Those arrested have been identified as:
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Vishal Tiwari (19)
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Shakeel Ahmad (53)
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Mohd Ovais (25)
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Mohd Ahad (25)
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Mohd Atif (25)
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Mohd Ujjaib (25)
Officials said the accused were primarily recruited as mule account operators, responsible for moving the extorted money quickly through various bank accounts.
Accused Came from Economically Weak Backgrounds
Investigators revealed that most of the arrested men came from modest economic backgrounds and worked in small establishments such as shops, hotels, and local trades. One of them was already facing trial in a separate criminal case.
The cyber fraud network reportedly utilised a large number of bank accounts to launder the stolen funds. As soon as the victim transferred money, the syndicate routed it through multiple layers and withdrew cash from ATMs to evade tracking.
Manhunt for Remaining Gang Members
Authorities said that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the remaining members of the syndicate, believed to be part of a larger interstate cyber-extortion network.
The case adds to growing concerns over “digital arrest” scams, in which victims—often senior citizens—are threatened and coerced into paying large sums. Both the Supreme Court and senior government officials have recently emphasised the need for tougher action against such crimes, calling them a serious threat to public safety.
