Gujarat:CBI searches 22 locations, nabs 2 in digital arrest case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two more persons in a Rs 11.42 crore "digital arrest" case in Gujarat after conducting coordinated searches at 22 locations across 10 states as part of its nationwide crackdown on cybercrime under Operation Chakra-VI, officials said Sunday. Himanshu Prasad and Unis Biswas allegedly "used the bank account of M/s Hexaquest Global Pvt Ltd to receive Rs 2.5 crore out of the Rs 11.42 crore defrauded from the victim, and actively participated in transferring the funds onward to multiple accounts of their accomplices with the intent of obscuring the money trail", a CBI spokesperson said in a statement. 
A digital arrest is a cybercrime scam where fraudsters pose as police or government officials on video calls to trick victims into believing they face immediate arrest. The agency said both accused were allegedly involved in using bank accounts and installing APK files to siphon off proceeds generated through digital arrest frauds and other cybercrimes.
"Several incriminating chats, messages and documents have also been recovered from the digital devices seized from their possession. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the remaining members of the network," it said. The CBI action targeted syndicates involved in "digital arrest" crimes, in which victims are allegedly detained online by criminals impersonating law enforcement and government officials and coerced into transferring money.
In the Gujarat case, the CBI alleged that the victim was allegedly kept under "digital arrest" for three months by cybercriminals posing as police officers and officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, or TRAI. The CBI has taken over a number of Digital Arrest cases from various States, in each of which the victims were digitally detained by cybercriminals impersonating law-enforcement and government officials and coerced into transferring large sums of money. In four of these cases, in past 30 days the CBI has so far conducted extensive, coordinated searches at 142 locations spanning 22 States and arrested 17 accused persons, striking simultaneously to trace the proceeds of crime, unmask the beneficiaries and handlers behind the syndicates, and secure incriminating material before it could be destroyed.
The CBI once again cautions the public that no police, CBI or other government agency places any person under “digital arrest” or demands money over phone or video calls. Citizens receiving such calls should disconnect immediately and report the matter on the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or at www.cybercrime.gov.in.

(Freelance Journalist)