71-year-old victim coerced through fake CBI impersonation; prime accused absconding
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have arrested three accused persons in a digital arrest fraud case where a 71-year-old resident was cheated of Rs.1.92 crore through elaborate impersonation of CBI officials.
Case Details
The case was registered as Cr. No.2071/2025 under relevant sections of the IT Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Arrested Accused:
- A2, A3, and A4 (names withheld) – arrested from Hyderabad
- A1 Sandeep @ Alex – prime accused, currently absconding
Nationwide Racket
The arrested individuals were found involved in five cases nationwide, including two cases in Telangana, indicating an organized cyber fraud operation spanning multiple states.
Modus Operandi
The fraudsters executed a sophisticated scheme:
Impersonation: Posed as CBI officials through phone and video calls
False Allegations: Claimed a case was registered against the victim for Aadhaar misuse
Fake Evidence: Shared a forged FIR to create authenticity
Psychological Pressure: Conducted continuous calls and video chats showing forged documents and fake uniforms
Coercion: Forced the victim to transfer money into multiple bank accounts between November 7-14, 2025
Total Amount Defrauded: Rs.1.92 crore
Role of Arrested Accused
The three arrested persons acted as:
- Account suppliers providing bank accounts for receiving fraudulent transfers
- Joint account holders used to facilitate the fraud and money laundering
Seizures
Police seized four mobile phones used in committing the offense.
Investigation Team
The case was detected and cracked by a dedicated team led by:
- Inspector K. Satish Reddy
- SI Srikanth
- Support staff from Cyber Crime Unit
Public Advisory
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police issued an urgent advisory urging citizens:
Do not believe in “digital arrest” threats
No law enforcement agency:
- Demands money over phone or video calls
- Conducts arrests through phone/video calls
- Asks for immediate fund transfers
- Pressures victims through continuous calls
How to Report
For cyber fraud complaints:
- Call: 1930 (National Cybercrime Helpline)
- Visit: www.cybercrime.gov.in
Growing Threat
The digital arrest scam has emerged as one of the most successful cyber fraud methods, exploiting victims’ fear of law enforcement and legal consequences. Fraudsters create elaborate setups with fake offices, uniforms, and documents to appear legitimate.
Vulnerable Targets
Elderly citizens are particularly vulnerable as they:
- May be less familiar with digital scams
- Take law enforcement threats seriously
- May not verify claims independently
- Can be easily intimidated
Red Flags
Citizens should be alert to these warning signs:
- Unexpected calls from “law enforcement” about cases
- Demands for immediate money transfer
- Threats of arrest unless payment is made
- Requests to keep the matter confidential
- Video calls showing “official” settings
The arrest of three accused is a significant breakthrough, though the prime accused Sandeep @ Alex remains at large. Police continue their efforts to apprehend him and recover the defrauded amount.
