Digital Arrest Scam Leads to Farmer's Suicide, Police Uncover SIM Card Racket
The Vadodara Rural Police has made significant breakthroughs in a distressing cyber crime case that resulted in the death of a local farmer. Two individuals from Surat have been arrested for their involvement in supplying hundreds of SIM cards to international cyber criminals operating from Cambodia.
The Tragic Incident and Investigation
On November 17, 2025, 58-year-old farmer Atul Patel died by suicide at his residence in Kayavarohan village of Dabhoi taluka. The investigation revealed that Patel had fallen victim to a sophisticated digital arrest scam where fraudsters posing as Delhi Anti-Terrorist Squad officer Inspector Gaurav Grover threatened him with arrest in an alleged Rs 40 crore narcotics case.
According to police statements, Patel had been held in digital arrest for an entire day before taking his own life. His nephew, Ansh, informed authorities that the victim had appeared worried and tense but hadn't shared the details of the threatening calls with his family members.
Police Crackdown on SIM Card Suppliers
The investigation led by Vadodara SP Sushil Agrawal tracked the phone records and conducted forensic analysis of Patel's mobile device. This trail ultimately exposed the network responsible for providing SIM cards to cyber criminals.
Police arrested Surat-based cousins Nikunj Pansheriya and Henil Pansheriya on November 26 for supplying 438 SIM cards from across India to fraudsters based abroad. One of these SIM cards, registered in Surat but active in Cambodia, was directly used to threaten Atul Patel.
Authorities disclosed that the accused had promised to deliver 538 SIM cards and had already supplied 438 when apprehended. The police are now working to recover the remaining SIM cards and have launched a hunt for additional suspects involved in the network.
International Connections and Broader Implications
The investigation uncovered that the SIM card used to threaten Patel was active in Cambodia, while another number from the same network had been recently used to defraud a 65-year-old Bengaluru man of Rs 50 lakh.
SP Sushil Agrawal confirmed that look-out notices have been issued for one accused currently outside India in Cambodia. The police emphasized that the arrested individuals facilitated interstate SIM card distribution specifically for fraudsters operating from foreign countries.
This case highlights the growing threat of international cyber crime networks targeting Indian citizens and the crucial need for enhanced digital security awareness among vulnerable populations.
