Two men have been arrested by Police for frauds of ₹9.51 lakh and ₹23.3 lakh as part of their investigation with much of the money stolen and deposited in bank accounts linked to the accused. In both of the cases, fraud victims were persuaded or forced to transfer large sums of money into the accounts of the fraudsters.
One case involved a woman who was under so-called “digital arrest” after being falsely accused of involvement in money laundering and human trafficking, and the other an investment scam that started on social media and moved to a WhatsApp group.
The digital arrest case led to the arrest of 34-year-old Raj Kumar Shaw, a resident of Howrah, West Bengal, by the police. The case was registered on 27 September 2024 after the woman came to authorities and said she was already losing ₹9.51 lakh.
The victim was called up by people who said she was linked to big crimes such as money laundering and human trafficking.
The accused allegedly told the woman that she was under “digital arrest” and advised her to follow their instructions. She was ordered to transfer ₹9.51 lakh into a bank account provided by the callers. Police traced the money to an account associated with Shaw, and the fraud was also linked with the person who was arrested. Police are looking for the second suspect as the investigation continues.
Shaw was arrested and taken before a court. The court on Saturday sent him to judicial custody. Police are still investigating the financial transactions and other evidence that was gathered during the investigation to determine if those involved in the fraud were involved.
The case shows how cybercriminals can exploit fear and confusion by impersonating officials or claiming that victims are connected to serious criminal investigations and entrap victims in money transfers.
The term “digital arrest” is widely associated with scams in which fraudsters tell victims they’re going to be arrested or face legal action and then coerce them to transfer money. Real law-enforcement agencies do not arrest people via video call or force people to pay to prove their innocence.
In another case, cyber police arrested 32-year-old Mohammad Umar from Sealdah in Kolkata for investment fraud of ₹23.3 lakh. Umar, who is from Gaya district in Bihar, was arrested in connection with the complaint of the victim on 21 July 2025. The victim had seen an investment-related advertisement on Facebook and was prompted to join a WhatsApp group.
The WhatsApp group, the complaint alleged, offered investment opportunities and assistance to the victim and led him to transfer money into several bank accounts. The complainant, as per the order of the group administrator, had transferred ₹23.3 lakh. The transactions were subsequently scrutinized as the victim suspected the investment was fraudulent.
A technical investigation and analysis of the financial trail reportedly helped police trace ₹17.3 lakh to a bank account linked to Umar. Investigators then found and arrested him as part of the investigation. The money trail is expected to remain an important part of the investigation as police try to determine how the funds were moved and if other people benefited from the alleged fraud.
Umar also disclosed information about two other suspects involved in the scheme during questioning, investigators said. Police have not arrested them yet and are still trying to determine who was behind the scheme and where they are. The accounts that the rest of the money was transferred through are under investigation, investigators said.
The two cases had different methods but both are a good example of the need to follow the money trail in cybercrime. Bank accounts, transaction records, phone numbers, social media activity, and digital communication can all be used by investigators to find out who is committing online fraud. The police will pursue other suspects and investigate the movement of the money to get answers.
The incidents also serve as a reminder about the growing sophistication of online scams. Fraudsters can use social media platforms, messaging apps, and convincing claims to make contact with potential victims. Investment scams can offer attractive returns, while impersonation-based schemes can pressure victims into making immediate payments.
People should verify the identity of anyone demanding money online and not transfer money based on messages, phone calls, or social media instructions from cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies. Those who have received threats involving alleged criminal cases should contact the authorities directly as opposed to complying with demands for money.
These two arrests are steps forward in the respective investigations, but police are still working. In the digital arrest case, investigators are looking for another alleged participant; investigators in the investment fraud case are pursuing two additional suspects. The focus is now on establishing the full network behind the alleged scams, recovering funds when possible, and determining who’s responsible.
Both cases highlight the need for greater awareness about cyber fraud in cyberspace and the warning signs of online deception. As criminals increasingly use digital platforms to target victims, detecting suspicious claims and reporting fraud quickly can help prevent further losses.
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