Mumbai Cyber Police Arrest Two in Rs 50 Lakh Digital Arrest Scam Targeting Senior Citizens

Mumbai Cyber Police have apprehended two individuals from a cybercriminal organization that specifically targeted elderly citizens by impersonating high-ranking police and investigation officers. The perpetrators created an atmosphere of fear by threatening arrest and falsely connecting victims to money-laundering operations.

The investigation was initiated at Mumbai's North Cyber Police Station following a report submitted on October 9, 2025, according to officials. The victim, a former bank employee, was approached between September 11 and 24 by scammers who contacted him via WhatsApp calls and video communications, claiming to be officers from Nashik Police and accusing him of involvement in money-laundering activities.

To make their deception credible, the fraudsters provided counterfeit documentation, including government seals, copies of FIRs, and even an IPS officer's identification card purportedly from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Using a tactic called 'digital arrest', they compelled the complainant and his spouse to remain on video calls continuously for three days and pressured them into sending Rs. 50,50,900 to unidentified bank accounts.

During their investigation, authorities discovered that Rs. 29,50,900 had been transferred to initial beneficiary accounts. Investigators tracked one account holder to Ulhasnagar in Thane district and arrested him on October 25. He reportedly established the account using his personal information before transferring it to an accomplice for a commission. Further inquiry led to the arrest of his associate.

The suspects have been identified as Ravi Ananda Ambore (35) and Vishwapal Chandrakant Jadhav (37). Police confiscated a mobile phone from them and found that seven similar complaints had been registered across India involving the same bank account.

Mumbai Cyber Police have advised citizens to be vigilant against "digital arrest" scams and recommend the following precautions:

1. No government agency, including Police, CBI, ED, or RBI, conducts digital arrests.

2. Digital arrest has no legal foundation in India.

3. Never accept video calls from unknown individuals.

4. If you receive such communications, immediately visit your nearest police station or report through the cyber helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in / sancharsaathi.gov.in.