Two men from Hyderabad were arrested for duping a retired employee and his daughter of ₹29.17 lakh in a digital arrest scam linked to 16 cases across India.
Key Points
- Arrests Made: Mohd. Ashfaq Hussain and Ahmed Najeeb Uddin were apprehended on October 17 for their role in the scam.
- Scam Amount: The victims were cheated of ₹29.17 lakh by impersonating Delhi Police, CBI, and ED officials.
- Case Links: Investigators identified connections to approximately 16 cybercrime cases across India.
- Fraud Method: Forged documents and threats of arrest were used to trick the victims into transferring funds.
- Money Trail: The accused withdrew money and deposited it into multiple accounts to conceal the trail.
Digital Scam Unraveled in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: The Cyber Crime Police in Hyderabad have arrested two individuals for their involvement in a digital arrest scam that defrauded a 63-year-old retired employee and his daughter of ₹29.17 lakh. The accused, Mohd. Ashfaq Hussain and Ahmed Najeeb Uddin, were apprehended on Saturday (October 17) after an investigation revealed their role in the fraud. The scam involved impersonating officials from Delhi Police, CBI and ED to instill fear of arrest in the victims.
The fraud began on March 3, 2025, when unidentified callers contacted the retired employee. These individuals falsely accused him of being involved in a ₹6.8 crore money laundering case, sending forged documents and claiming his Aadhaar details and fingerprints had been misused. They threatened him with arrest unless he cooperated by transferring funds for verification, promising a refund while urging secrecy in the name of national security.
The victims fell for the deception and transferred ₹29,17,668 to accounts provided by the accused. The money was then withdrawn through cheques and deposited into multiple accounts using cash deposit machines to obscure the trail. According to police, the accused had previously connected with Sachin, a Bengaluru resident, through WhatsApp while facing financial difficulties.
Money Laundering and Cryptocurrency Trail
Investigators revealed that Sachin allegedly arranged for the fraudulent funds to be transferred into accounts provided by Hussain and Uddin. The duo withdrew the money through cheques and used cash deposit machines to disperse it into multiple accounts. This method was designed to conceal the money trail and avoid detection by authorities.
Sachin then used the funds to purchase USDT cryptocurrency, which was sold online for Indian rupees. The arrested men received commissions from these transactions. Police are currently working to trace Sachin, who is now absconding and has not been apprehended. The case highlights the sophisticated methods used in digital scams, where cryptocurrencies are leveraged to launder money and evade detection.
Wider Implications of the Scam
The Hyderabad police investigation has uncovered links between this scam and approximately 16 other cybercrime cases registered across India. This suggests a broader network of digital frauds, possibly coordinated or inspired by similar schemes. The arrested individuals are now being produced before a court, with legal proceedings expected to follow.
The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of elderly individuals and their families to digital frauds. It also underscores the need for increased awareness regarding impersonation scams, particularly those involving law enforcement agencies. As cybercrime continues to evolve, authorities are urged to enhance measures for detecting and preventing such fraudulent activities.
