Tamil Nadu police arrest two suspects in ‘digital arrest’ fraud case

Cybercrime police arrested two men from Coimbatore over the alleged theft of ₹46.50 lakh, or 4.65 million rupees, from an elderly Karaikudi resident through a ‘digital arrest’ threat.

The Hindu reported on October 11 that the callers posed as Bengaluru police officers. They claimed the victim’s Aadhaar identity document had been used in illegal activity and demanded money, saying it would clear him of the accusations.

According to police, the man believed the threats and transferred funds to the specified accounts. After realising he had been deceived, he approached Sivaganga district’s cybercrime unit, which registered a case based on his complaint.

The arrested men were identified as Hitesh Sanashetti, 33, and Syed Rahman, 44. DT Next reported that the operation took place on October 10. It cited police as saying the suspects helped move stolen funds through mule accounts.

DT Next also reported the recovery of 700,000 rupees from one of the men. Investigators are examining each participant’s alleged role, and the arrests do not establish guilt.