Three Individuals Arrested in Connection with Rs 15 Crore Digital Arrest Scam
Delhi Police has made significant progress in a high-profile cybercrime case. Authorities arrested three people for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated digital arrest scam. This scam targeted an elderly NRI doctor couple, resulting in a staggering financial loss of nearly Rs 15 crore.
Details of the Arrests and Accused
The police identified the arrested individuals as Divyang Patel and Krutik Shitoli from Vadodara, Gujarat, and KS Tiwari from Prayagraj. Two of the accused were apprehended in Vadodara, while the third was taken into custody from Prayagraj.
Divyang Patel, who operates a non-governmental organization in Vadodara, stands accused of opening a mule account under his NGO's name. Investigators revealed that approximately Rs 4 crore of the stolen funds flowed into this account. Sources indicate Patel knowingly permitted fraudsters to use his bank account in exchange for a commission.
Krutik Shitoli allegedly acted as a facilitator in the scam. His role involved arranging and collecting bank accounts for the criminal operation. The third accused, KS Tiwari, provided another mule account. Police reports show that around Rs 2 crore of the cheated money was transferred into his account.
The Victims and the Digital Arrest
The victims of this elaborate fraud are Dr Indra Taneja, aged 77, and her 81-year-old husband, Dr Om Taneja. The couple, residing in Greater Kailash-II in south Delhi, were subjected to a digital arrest. This confinement lasted from December 24 last year to January 9.
During this period, the scammers effectively isolated the elderly couple, preventing them from seeking help or accessing their finances freely. The total amount siphoned off reached Rs 14.8 crore.
Money Trail and Police Action
Police sources detailed the complex money trail. The largest single transfer, Rs 4 crore, went to a bank account in Vadodara, Gujarat. Law enforcement officials managed to freeze Rs 2.1 crore of the stolen funds, providing some relief in the recovery process.
The fraudulent transfers occurred in a series of transactions across multiple locations in India:
- On December 26, nearly Rs 2 crore was sent to Jalukbari in Guwahati, Assam.
- Consecutive transfers of Rs 2 crore each were made on December 29 and 30 to Sama Savli in Vadodara.
- On January 2, Rs 2 crore was routed to Mayur Vihar Phase-III in east Delhi.
- Nearly Rs 2 crore was transferred to Nepean Sea Road in Mumbai on January 5.
- Subsequent transfers included Rs 2 crore to Wazidpur in Uttar Pradesh on January 6.
- Around Rs 2 crore went to Moulali in Kolkata on January 8.
- A final transfer of Rs 50 lakh was sent to Belada in Uttarakhand on January 9.
International Links Under Investigation
Delhi Police are actively investigating potential international connections in this case. Authorities are probing the links between the arrested individuals and scammers based in China and Cambodia. This aspect highlights the global nature of modern cybercrime networks targeting Indian citizens.
The arrests mark a crucial step in dismantling the financial infrastructure supporting such scams. Police continue their investigation to identify and apprehend other accomplices involved in this multi-crore fraud.
