Virtual arrest scams: Cases drop sharply as banks and agencies step up vigilance

KOCHI: Virtual arrest scams have declined significantly following a crackdown by investigation agencies and increased vigilance by banks. According to figures from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, the number of cases has fallen to nearly one-fourth of the 2024 level.

Fraudsters had cheated people of thousands of crores of rupees by posing as investigation officials, creating fake criminal cases and keeping victims under virtual confinement. Awareness campaigns by the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Government, explaining that there is no such thing as a digital arrest, have also proved effective.

The CBI is investigating virtual arrest scams as part of Operation Chakra. The agency has made significant progress as many of these frauds have interstate and international links. After tracing the sources of the scams, the CBI conducted raids at 400 locations across the country and arrested 75 alleged masterminds. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and cyber police are also involved in the crackdown. The Kerala Police jas also received appreciation for its efforts.

Investigating agencies have managed to recover or freeze up to 20 per cent of the money lost to such scams. Investigations gained momentum following the intervention of the Supreme Court. The Central Government is also preparing to introduce legislation to prevent cyber fraud.

Virtual arrest scam cases and losses

Year .......Number of cases....Amount lost (Rs crore)
2024.......92,323.....................1,925
2025.......58,239.....................650
2026.......16,377.....................481 (Up to June)

Notable cases

• CBI: The CBI filed a chargesheet on April 25 in a case involving the alleged cheating of Rs 1.86 crore from an elderly man in Kottayam. Raids conducted in Goa, Bengaluru, Palakkad, Nagpur, Hyderabad and Delhi led to the identification of Blesin Jacob Abraham, Mohammed Mushtaq, Mohammed Junaid Hussain, C.S. Saleesh Kumar and JCSS Capital Limited.
• ED: In a virtual arrest fraud case in Goa, Faheem Moin Hussain Sayed and Naeem Mueen Sayed were arrested on August 24. They allegedly cheated a woman and forced her to transfer Rs 2.60 crore to so-called 'secret supervision accounts'.
• Hyderabad Cyber Police: In September, the police arrested 35 people in connection with 23 cybercrime cases across nine states. Six of those arrested were accused in virtual arrest scams.
• Kerala Police: In January, the Kerala Police foiled an attempt to subject a former bank manager in Kannur to a virtual arrest. The fraudster, a Malayali who posed as a Data Protection Board official, disconnected the call and escaped.