A 70-year-old retired supervisor from Pinjore in Panchkula became the victim of a cyber fraud worth more than ₹80 lakh after scammers trapped him in a fake “digital arrest” setup. Police have now arrested a key accused from Hyderabad who allegedly helped route and launder the stolen money through fake business accounts.
According to investigators, the accused, identified as Pathukar Murali Krishna, was part of a wider cyber fraud network that used fear and impersonation of government agencies to target the victim.
The victim received repeated calls from fraudsters who posed as officials from agencies such as telecom regulators and investigative bodies. They falsely claimed that a SIM card linked to his Aadhaar was involved in money laundering and criminal activity.
To make the threat appear real, the scammers told him he was under so called digital arrest through video calls. They continuously pressured him, warning of legal action if he did not cooperate. Under this psychological pressure, the victim ended up transferring a total of ₹80,09,500 in multiple transactions.
Investigators said this method is part of a growing cybercrime pattern where criminals use fear, urgency, and authority impersonation to manipulate victims, especially senior citizens.
Police found that the accused had created bank accounts under a fake construction company name to move the fraud money. A significant portion, around ₹62 lakh, was transferred into one such account linked to GSR Construction and Developer based in Hyderabad.
The accused reportedly used forged rent agreements and partnership documents to make the accounts look legitimate. These accounts acted as mule accounts to hide the origin of the money and delay tracking by authorities.
Following technical analysis of financial transactions, police traced the money trail and arrested Pathukar Murali Krishna during a raid in Hyderabad on May 2. Another accused, Saurabh Kumar from Uttar Pradesh, had been arrested earlier, helping investigators uncover key details of the network.
Officials believe the scam is part of a larger organised cyber fraud syndicate operating across multiple states. Efforts are underway to identify other members involved in the operation.
Authorities have once again warned citizens about rising cases of digital arrest scams. Officials clarified that no government agency, police department, or regulatory body conducts arrests or investigations through WhatsApp or video calls.
They advised people not to share personal details, Aadhaar information, or banking credentials with unknown callers. Any suspicious activity should be immediately reported to the cybercrime helpline 1930.
Cyber experts say such scams rely heavily on social engineering, where criminals exploit fear and authority to force victims into making quick financial decisions without verification.
