Bengaluru, Oct.17,2025:The digital arrest scam is a modern fraud stratagem in which criminals impersonate law-enforcement or judicial authorities—often via video or phone call—to terrorize victims into believing they are under formal arrest. The fraudsters then demand money to “settle” the alleged criminal case-
Typical elements include-
- Sudden calls from supposed police/agency officials
- Presentation of forged arrest warrants or court orders
- Accusations of drug trafficking, money laundering, or cybercrime
- Threats of arrest, legal action, or deportation
- Coercion into wiring money or paying “fines”
Because the scam relies on fear and urgency, many victims comply immediately, often without verifying credentials or seeking legal counsel.
Bengaluru Raid- How It All Unravelled
Tipping Point & Raid
The scam blew up when Bengaluru Police received credible intelligence about a fake BPO in HSR Layout operating under the name Cybits Solutions Pvt Ltd. The firm was suspected of targeting US and Canadian nationals by posing as law enforcement and extorting money via threats of digital arrest.
On October 7, authorities raided the site. 16 individuals were arrested, and substantial evidence—including computer systems, mobile phones, routers, scripts, and networking gear—was recovered.
What the Police Found
Seized items included-
- 41 computer systems and 41 monitors
- 25 mobile phones
- Routers, switches, LAN cables, EPABX equipment
- Documents, fake identity cards, scripts, attendance logs
- Networking infrastructure used for routing calls internationally
Police also discovered that no signage was displayed outside the office, and the business operated covertly for over a year.
Arrest Origins & Employee Profiles
The arrested individuals hailed from Maharashtra (8), Meghalaya (4), Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Gujarat. Many of them were reportedly not graduates—but were lured through lucrative BPO job posts, trained in scripts, and lodged in employer-provided housing near the office.
Anatomy of the Operation
Recruitment & Training
- Job listings for “Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)” roles were posted on portals like LinkedIn and WorkIndia.
- Selected candidates were promised free lodging, transport, food, and salary (~₹22,000/month).
- Over ~3 weeks, recruits were trained on scripts, forced impersonation techniques, and use of call-routing systems. 3.2 Execution: The Fraud Cycle
- Data gathering: Employees scour the internet for names, contact details, and background of potential victims (often abroad).
- Initial call: The victim receives a phone or video call from someone claiming to be an agent of e.g. US Customs, DEA, or postal investigative agencies.
- Intimidation: The “officer” accuses the victim of drug trafficking, money laundering, or fraud, claiming evidence in hand.
- Presentation of forged documents: Fake court orders, warrants, and case files are shown via email, PDF, or screen share.
- Payment demand: The victim is coerced to send money via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or online wallets to avoid arrest.
- Control & pressure: Victims may receive repeated threats, combined with simulated countdowns or urgent deadlines to panic them further.
- Cutoff & blocking: Once the funds are transferred, communication is cut off or redirected; victims are ghosted.
Script Samples & Legal Impersonation
One notorious script read-
“You are speaking with Customs and Border Protection, US. You are charged with money laundering. Your file number is _____. You must appear before the U.S. Magistrate Court immediately.”
Fake warrants were stamped with “United States District Court,” case file numbers, judge signatures, and “detention orders.” In some cases, victims were shown falsified “Supreme Court” orders as proof of seriousness.
The Psychological Trap
Victims typically describe immediate terror, bewilderment, and submissiveness under the onslaught. Common patterns-
- Fear of arrest or criminal record
- Threats of forced extradition
- Presentation of “official” documentation
- Use of authority bias (mentioning DEA, FBI, courts)
- Tight time constraints to prevent verification
In one reported case, a 78-year-old former public sector manager in Hyderabad lost over ₹1.1 crore after being duped by video calls and fake court orders during a digital arrest scam.
In another, a senior woman in Ambala was extorted for ₹1 crore using forged Supreme Court orders, prompting the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance.
The Key Players & Company Trail
Cybits Solutions and the Directors
- Cybits Solutions Pvt Ltd, the front, was registered in Bengaluru but with suspicious filings showing losses and paper addresses.
- The firm was reportedly founded by Mahipal Singh Bochaliya (from Rajasthan) and Vinay Kumar K M (from Mandya, Karnataka). Authorities say the address submitted in Rajasthan was falsified.
- Financial filings indicated minimal legitimate activity; losses of ₹1,500 in 2022–23 and ₹500 in 2023–24.
- The real “control” may have come from a person codenamed “Matt,” possibly located abroad, who provided remote direction to operatives on the ground.
Hidden Networks & International Reach
Investigators suspect this Bengaluru cell was part of a larger transnational network targeting U.S. and Canadian citizens. Connections to servers abroad, call routing hubs, and offshore accounts are being evaluated.
There is also suspicion that parallel fake call centres have operated elsewhere and shut down after raids.
U.S., Canada & Indian Links
Scale of Losses
Bloomberg estimates that victims worldwide have lost over US$300 million to digital arrest scams since 2022.
U.S. & Canada Victims
While detailed victim data is still emerging, police confirmed that Americans and Canadians were primary targets. Many were threatened with arrest unless they paid.
In particular, fraudsters claimed to act on behalf of U.S. agencies like Customs and Border Protection, DEA, FBI, or Postal Investigations.
Reputational & Diplomatic Fallout
This case adds pressure on Indian law enforcement to step up cross-border cooperation with U.S., Canadian, and global cyber agencies. It also highlights vulnerabilities in global cyberspace where sovereign boundaries are easily breached.
Judicial Response & Supreme Court Action
Supreme Court’s Concern
The Supreme Court has flagged the gravity of digital arrest scams, observing that forging court orders with judge signatures erodes citizens’ faith in legal institutions.
It has sought responses from the central government, CBI, and states to curb such crimes.
Legal Charges & Investigation
Suspects arrested in Bengaluru face multiple charges, including-
- Cyber fraud under the Information Technology Act
- Impersonation and criminal intimidation
- Forgery and extortion
- Possible money laundering
Investigations are ongoing to trace funds, identify masterminds, and search for other operational nodes.
The police are also scrutinizing property owners whose buildings hosted the fake BPO — holding them accountable for enabling the crime.
Preventive Measures & Awareness
Verify & Slow Down
- Always verify caller identity via independent sources
- Do not act under pressure
- Ask for official email IDs or seek legal counsel
Check Legitimacy
- Genuine agencies don’t communicate only via random video calls
- Court orders have official seals and publication records
- The Supreme Court, High Courts, etc., publish their judgments publicly
Report Early
- Use India’s National Cybercrime Reporting Portal
- Contact local cybercrime cells
- Alert family, banks, and fraud helplines
Enhance Public Awareness
Media, police, NGOs, and governments must launch widespread education campaigns — especially targeting the elderly and less tech-savvy segments.
The Supreme Court’s concerns underscore the urgency of coordinated preventive action.
Strengthen International Cooperation
- Mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs)
- Joint investigations between Indian, U.S., Canadian agencies
- Real-time sharing of fraud databases and suspect IP traces
The unveiling of the digital arrest scam in Bengaluru is more than a local bust — it is a window into how cyber fraud has scaled into international extortion. Using fear, authority mimicry, and digital tools, criminals have bridged continents to prey on unsuspecting victims.
