Rajasthan man ‘digitally held’ for 3 months, Rs 7 crore extorted; 4 nabbed
In a chilling case of cybercrime, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested four persons for their alleged involvement in a digital arrest scam that left a Rajasthan resident virtually “imprisoned” for over three months.
The victim -- whose identity has been withheld to protect his privacy -- was psychologically manipulated and digitally detained by cybercriminals, posing as officials from multiple law enforcement agencies. Over a period of 90 days, the victim was coerced into making 42 separate payments — amounting to Rs 7.67 crore.
The CBI had launched ‘Operation Chakra-V’ to investigate the case, which was originally registered by the Rajasthan Police before it was handed over to the central agency. Officials called it one of the most disturbing examples of cyber extortion in the recent times.
According to officials, the victim was threatened with fabricated legal charges and warned against contacting anyone — effectively cutting him off from the outside world. Under immense psychological pressure, the victim complied with the scammers’ instructions, believing the threats to be legitimate.
The CBI, acting on leads generated through advanced digital forensics and data analysis, tracked down members of the syndicate and conducted sweeping searches across 12 locations in UP’s Moradabad and Sambhal, Mumbai, Jaipur and Krishnanagar in West Bengal.
Four individuals — two from Moradabad and two from Mumbai — were arrested. “This is part of a highly organised cybercrime racket that uses fear and impersonation to extort vast sums from unsuspecting victims,” a CBI spokesperson said.
During the searches, the agency also recovered digital evidence -- including mobile devices, computers, bank account records, debit cards, chequebooks and deposit slips — believed to be linked to the money trail.
The arrested accused have been remanded to five-day custody for further interrogation. Officials confirmed that the CBI had been investigating multiple such cases across India and was focusing on dismantling the broader infrastructure that supports digital extortion crimes.
