New Delhi, February 25, 2026: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has carried out extensive searches across six states and arrested three individuals in connection with a high-value “Digital Arrest” cyber fraud case involving approximately ₹1.86 crore.
According to officials, the case pertains to the alleged defrauding of a senior citizen from Kerala’s Kottayam district. Investigators, through digital forensic analysis and financial trail tracking, uncovered what they described as a complex inter-state network with suspected international linkages.
Coordinated Searches Across Six States
The CBI launched synchronized search and arrest operations on February 25, targeting key components of the cyber-fraud ecosystem, including mule bank account networks and fraudulently procured SIM cards.
Searches were conducted at multiple locations in Goa, Bengaluru (Karnataka), Palakkad (Kerala), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Hyderabad (Telangana), and Delhi.
During the raids, officials seized digital devices, debit cards, bank account documents, and other incriminating materials. The recovered evidence is currently under detailed examination.
Three Key Accused Held
Mule Account Operator: Arrested from a hotel in Goa, the accused is suspected to have played a central role in operating mule accounts and facilitating cryptocurrency transactions linked to the fraud. Several digital devices containing alleged incriminating data were seized from his possession.
Shell Company Operator: Apprehended in Nagpur, the accused allegedly managed mule accounts through a shell company. Investigators recovered a significant number of debit cards and digital devices from premises associated with him.
SIM Card Fraud Facilitator: Arrested from Bengaluru, the accused is alleged to have procured SIM cards fraudulently. Officials said he duped individuals by offering “5G SIM upgrades,” misusing their KYC documents to activate SIM cards later used in cyber-fraud operations, some believed to have originated from abroad.
Investigation Continues
The CBI said further investigation is underway to identify additional domestic and international collaborators and dismantle the broader cyber-fraud infrastructure. Officials described the operation as a significant step toward disrupting the enabling ecosystem behind so-called “Digital Arrest” scams.
The agency reiterated its commitment to pursuing organized cyber-criminal networks and safeguarding public trust in digital systems.
