Hyderabad police arrest two in ₹6.6 lakh digital arrest scam
HYDERABAD: Cybercrime police in Hyderabad have arrested two men from Maharashtra in connection with a ₹6.6 lakh “digital arrest” fraud that allegedly led to the death of a retired doctor earlier this month.
The accused, identified as Shankar Supur, 38, from Kolhapur district and Vishwas Dattatraya Miraje, 35, from Sangli district, were taken into custody for their role in supplying and operating bank accounts used in the fraud. Police said they are linked to two cases—one in Telangana and another in Gujarat.
Supur, a water purifier worker, held the account used in the crime, while Miraje, a businessman, acted as an account supplier.
Victim died after sustained harassment
According to the complaint, the victim, a retired CSRMO from MN Area Hospital, Malakpet, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest on September 8, 2025 after being harassed for three days by cyber fraudsters posing as Bengaluru police and other agencies.
Her son told police that between September 5 and 8, the fraudsters made repeated WhatsApp video calls, falsely accused her of involvement in a human trafficking case, and showed forged documents purportedly from the Supreme Court, Enforcement Directorate, Reserve Bank of India, and police departments.
Under threats of arrest, she was coerced into transferring ₹6,60,543 from her Union Bank pension account into an ICICI Bank account. Even after the money transfer, the intimidation continued. The complainant said the prolonged harassment caused severe psychological stress, leading to her death due to a massive cardiac arrest.
Police registered a case under Section 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Cyber Crime Police Station, Hyderabad.
Fraudsters’ modus operandi
Investigators said the gang followed a pattern:
Initiating WhatsApp calls using fake police logos.
Claiming the victim’s Aadhaar was linked to a fabricated human trafficking case.
Displaying forged investigation reports and arrest warrants from courts and agencies.
Threatening prosecution and demanding money for a “No Involvement Certificate”.
Forcing the victim to transfer funds under fear of arrest.
Two mobile phones were seized during the arrests. The investigation team was led by Inspector S Mattam Raju with head constable Ch Sunil Kumar and constables P Ashok, MG Sudharshan, P Sainath, and M Rajender.
Police advisory
Cybercrime police urged the public to be cautious of such scams.
“There is no such thing as a digital arrest. Police or any law enforcement agency never demand money to clear names or issue certificates,” the advisory said.
Fraudsters often impersonate officers from the CBI, ED, RBI, NIA, and other agencies. They use caller ID spoofing and forged documents to create panic. Citizens were advised to disconnect such calls immediately, avoid sharing personal or financial details, and verify with local police or government helplines.