Bank employee arrested in Hyderabad for role in ‘digital arrest’ fraud

A 32-year-old bank employee from Bengaluru was arrested by the cyber crimes wing of the Hyderabad police for his involvement in a nationwide ‘digital arrest’ fraud racket.

The accused, identified as Prathap Kesari Pradhan, was found to be linked to seven cases across India, including two in Telangana.

Pradhan, who worked as a customer relations officer in the accounts section of AU Small Finance Bank in Bengaluru, misused his position to open and manage accounts for fraudsters.

Police said he lured customers by promising commissions, obtained their account details and then shared them with cyber criminals through WhatsApp. These accounts were subsequently used to channel fraudulent transactions.

The case came to light after a 60-year-old woman from Hyderabad lodged a complaint in July, reporting that she had been duped of over ₹10 lakh. The victim told police she received a call from a man posing as a Mumbai police officer, who falsely claimed that her Aadhaar number and bank accounts were linked to a money-laundering case. She was then kept on a six-hour video call with individuals impersonating police and Reserve Bank of India officials, who threatened her with imprisonment of 3–11 years and a fine of ₹15 lakh.

Under pressure, the woman withdrew funds from her fixed deposit and transferred ₹10,02,047 to an account provided by the fraudsters. She was also sent forged documents, including letters purportedly from the CBI, RBI and Enforcement Directorate, along with a fake police identity card. She was told her money would be refunded within 24 hours with a clearance certificate.

Investigators said the fraudsters used fake Supreme Court orders and other forged documents to convince the victim she was under a ‘digital arrest’. Following investigation, Hyderabad police traced the bank accounts involved and arrested Pradhan in Bengaluru.

Two mobile phones were seized from his possession.

Officials said the fraud involved multiple individuals, phone numbers and bank accounts, pointing to an organised cybercrime syndicate.

The Cyber Crime Police warned the people not to share personal information, OTPs or bank details with unknown callers and stressed that no police agency conducts arrests over WhatsApp or video calls. Citizens were advised to report such incidents to local police, dial 1930, or file complaints at cybercrime.gov.in.