FAKE CBI OFFICERS AND BOGUS COURTROOM USED TO ‘DIGITALLY ARREST’ VICTIM VIA VIDEO CALLS, THE ARRESTED ACCUSED HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS RAMAN KUMAR, A RESIDENT OF FEROZEPUR, PUNJAB, CURRENTLY LIVING AS A TENANT IN MOHALI. THE ACCUSED TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN POLICE REMAND FOR FURTHER INTERROGATION.
(MOREPIC1) Face2News/Panchkula
The Panchkula Cyber Crime Police have intensified action against a cyber fraud gang that duped an elderly woman of ₹2.98 crore by digitally placing her under “Digital Arrest” using fake CBI officials and a fabricated virtual courtroom. With the latest development, the fourth accused in the case has been arrested,
The arrested accused has been identified as Raman Kumar, a resident of Ferozepur, Punjab, currently living as a tenant in Mohali. The accused taken into custody in police remand for further interrogation.
Earlier, on January 15, the police arrested Nitin Singhal, a resident of East Delhi, following a raid in Delhi. During the investigation, around ₹17 lakh of the cheated amount was found in his bank account. He was later sent to judicial custody.
Subsequently, two more accused, Ajay and Ram, both natives of Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh and residing in rented accommodation in Mohali, were arrested. After completing their police remand, both were sent to judicial custody on Tuesday.
MODUS OPERENDI: According to the complaint, the Panchkula-based elderly woman received a phone call on December 4, where the caller posed as a telecom company employee and warned her about the suspension of services. The call was later transferred to alleged senior officials and finally to a person impersonating a CBI officer.
The fraudsters falsely accused the woman of being involved in large-scale money laundering through banking channels. To gain her trust, they sent photographs showing an individual in police custody.
Taking advantage of her age, the accused threatened the woman with “house arrest,” claiming a police vehicle was stationed outside her residence and that she was not allowed to leave or inform anyone. She was also threatened with harm to her children if she disclosed the incident.
On December 5, the woman was made to appear before a fake virtual courtroom via video call, where imposters posing as police officials and a judge conducted a sham hearing. Under fear and pressure, she was coerced into transferring ₹2.98 crore to multiple bank accounts.
When the accused demanded additional money, the woman suspected foul play and immediately reported the matter to the cyber helpline number 1930.
DCP Crime & Traffic Manpreet Singh Sudan stated that based on the complaint, an FIR was registered on December 14 at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Panchkula, under Sections 316(2), 318(4), 319(2), 338, 336(3), 340(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused used fake summons and warrants, staged virtual courtrooms, and impersonated law enforcement and investigative agencies to execute the meticulously planned fraud.
