Cuttack: The Odisha Crime Branch’s cyber crime unit has made a significant breakthrough in a “digital arrest” fraud case, apprehending Rohit Kumar Jaiswal (26) from Howrah, West Bengal. Jaiswal is accused of defrauding a Paradip complainant of a staggering ₹73.62 lakh by impersonating CBI and Delhi Police officials.
The elaborate scam unfolded on May 15, when the victim was informed that a parcel booked in his name, dispatched from New Delhi to Shanghai, China, had been confiscated by Delhi Customs. To “prove his innocence” and avoid legal repercussions, the complainant was coerced into a fabricated “digital arrest,” leading him to transfer the substantial sum. Upon realizing he had been scammed, the victim immediately filed an FIR with the Cyber Crime PS.
An investigative team from the Crime Branch, led by DSP Shradhanjali Panda, swiftly analyzed transaction details, leading to the successful identification and arrest of Jaiswal. He has been brought to Odisha on transit remand and presented before the SDJM court in Kujanga, Jagatsinghpur. Authorities have seized incriminating evidence, including a mobile phone, SIM cards, and Aadhaar cards. Several bank accounts linked to the fraudsters have also been frozen.
The investigation is ongoing, with officials indicating that their focus is now on unearthing other accomplices, tracing the trans-India ramifications of the crime, and following the money trail.
The CID wing of Odisha Police has reiterated its urgent appeal to citizens to exercise extreme caution against unsolicited calls from individuals impersonating police or judicial officers through social media and messaging apps. They strongly advise the public that there is no legal concept of “digital arrest” and urge anyone targeted by such scams to report them immediately to the 1930 Cyber helpline or their nearest police station.