Kozhikode police arrest two in ₹1.35-crore 'digital arrest' fraud; probe widens
The Kozhikode City Cyber Crime police have arrested two men from Kannur district in connection with a "digital arrest" fraud in which a woman in Kozhikode was allegedly cheated of ₹1.35 crore, officials said.
The arrested were identified as T.M. Mohammed Hanan, 23, of Kathiroor, and T. Mohammed Shahzad, 21, of Koothuparamba. A local court has remanded both in judicial custody.
According to the police, the accused posed as officers of the Mumbai Crime Branch and contacted the complainant through WhatsApp voice and video calls. They allegedly told her that a SIM card had been issued using her Aadhaar details and was being used to commit financial fraud, and threatened her with legal consequences.
Investigators said the callers then persuaded the woman to transfer the money lying in her bank accounts, claiming it would be "verified" by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and returned to her with interest. Across 13 transactions from three bank accounts, the complainant lost a total of ₹1,35,14,000, the police said.
The investigation found that ₹5 lakh of the defrauded amount had been credited to the bank account of one of the accused. The money was subsequently withdrawn through cheques and ATMs and transferred to other bank accounts, according to officials.
Police said the investigation has been intensified to identify the other accused, trace the wider financial network through which the money was routed, and recover the defrauded amount.
What is a 'digital arrest' scam?
The case is the latest involving what investigators describe as "digital arrest" fraud, in which fraudsters impersonate police or central agency officials, keep victims engaged on long video calls and claim they are under investigation. The aim is to create fear and urgency so that the victim transfers money or shares banking credentials. Such calls often use spoofed numbers, official-looking backdrops and forged documents such as fake notices or FIR copies.
Agencies, including the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs, have repeatedly cautioned that no police officer or government department conducts investigations, records statements or demands money over video calls. Citizens who receive such calls are advised to disconnect immediately, avoid sharing personal, Aadhaar or banking details, and report the matter on the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or the cybercrime portal.
Officials also point out that in such frauds the money is usually moved quickly through a chain of accounts to make recovery difficult, which is why early reporting is important. Victims are encouraged to inform their bank and the police without delay so that transactions can be flagged.
Police have urged the public to verify any claim of an FIR, legal notice or pending case through official channels before responding to a caller, and to treat unsolicited video calls from people claiming to be officials with suspicion.
