CBI arrests accused in ‘Digital Arrest’ case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an accused from Rajkot in Gujarat in connection with the ongoing investigation into a “Digital Arrest” cyber fraud case.

The accused has been identified as Shankar Pansari alias Shankar Rajput, who belongs to Karnal in Haryana. The CBI had re-registered the case earlier instituted by the Cyber Crime unit in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal, following a Supreme Court directive.

The accused had coerced a senior citizen into transferring ₹25.65 lakh to two different bank accounts under the threat of “digital arrest”. As per the complaint, the victim received intimidating calls from unknown persons impersonating officials of security and counter-terrorism agencies.

The callers falsely claimed that her bank account had been used in terrorism-related activities and threatened her with arrest and seizure of her property. To lend credibility to their claims, they also shared a fabricated attachment order, said the agency.