Mumbai Businessman Loses Rs 58 Crore in Massive Digital Arrest Scam with International Connections

Maharashtra Cyber Department investigators have uncovered an extensive international network behind the Rs 58 crore digital arrest scam targeting a Mumbai businessman, with connections reaching Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia.

The operation, considered one of India's largest digital arrest frauds, involved scammers impersonating officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED). Between August 19 and October 8 this year, they successfully defrauded the businessman of Rs 58 crore.

Officials revealed that the criminal network operated through sophisticated cryptocurrency transactions, routing the stolen funds internationally through multiple crypto wallets.

The investigation showed that the operation utilized a series of commission-based bank accounts to facilitate the fraud.

The case emerged when a Mumbai businessman reported receiving a call from an individual claiming to be a CBI officer. The scammer pressured the victim into joining a video call under the pretense of an official investigation. During this extended interaction, the perpetrators managed to extract Rs 58 crore from his accounts.

Further investigation by cyber police revealed this wasn't an isolated incident but part of a large international criminal syndicate that has been targeting Indian citizens for more than a year.

Authorities estimate that similar digital arrest schemes may have collectively generated over Rs 2,000 crore by exploiting victims across India through intimidation tactics and cryptocurrency manipulation.

'Digital arrest' represents a growing cybercrime trend where fraudsters masquerade as law enforcement or government officials, intimidating victims during audio/video calls. They effectively hold victims hostage psychologically while pressuring them to transfer funds.

Maharashtra Cyber serves as the state's nodal agency responsible for cybersecurity and criminal investigations in the digital realm.