The case relates to the alleged defrauding of a senior citizen from Kottayam district in Kerala. According to investigators, detailed digital forensics and financial trail analysis exposed a network operating across several states.
In a coordinated nationwide sweep, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches across six states and arrested three suspects in connection with a Rs 1.86 crore ‘digital arrest’ fraud that targeted a senior citizen in Kerala.
The agency said the case involved mule bank accounts, shell companies and fraudulently procured SIM cards, adding it could have possible international linkages.
The case relates to the alleged defrauding of a senior citizen from Kottayam district in Kerala. According to investigators, detailed digital forensics and financial trail analysis exposed a network operating across several states.
On February 25, the CBI carried out synchronised searches across Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana and Delhi. The probe agency said it targeted two key components of the alleged scheme: mule bank account networks and illegally obtained SIM cards.
During the searches, officials seized digital devices, debit cards, bank account documents and other materials, later describing them as incriminating.
An alleged mule account operator, identified as Blessin Jacob Abraham, was arrested from a hotel in Goa. The CBI said he is suspected to have played a key role in operating mule accounts and facilitating cryptocurrency transactions linked to the fraud.
Several digital devices were recovered from him.
In Nagpur, Mohammad Mushtaque, who has been described as a “shell company operator” by the CBI, was arrested. He allegedly managed mule accounts through a shell company to receive proceeds of the crime.
Investigators said multiple debit cards and digital devices were seized from premises linked to him.
The third accused, Mohammad Junaid, was arrested from Bengaluru. He is alleged to have fraudulently procured SIM cards by offering “5G SIM upgrades” to unsuspecting individuals.
