Karnataka Police today busted an alleged “Digital Arrest” cyber fraud gang with Pakistan links, arresting three accused, including the alleged kingpin, in connection with a cybercrime case. Authorities also froze Rs 1,03,142 of the cheated amount and recovered three mobile phones from the accused. The action followed a complaint filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) on January 19, 2026, by a person who alleged that he was duped through a fake investigation setup involving impersonation of telecom officials, police officers and government agency representatives.
According to the complaint, the victim received a call on January 8, 2026, from a woman claiming to be an employee of a telecom company. She allegedly told him that a mobile number issued using his Aadhaar card was being used for illegal gaming activities in Bengaluru.
The complainant was later connected through a video call to a man who introduced himself as a Sub-Inspector from Indira Nagar Police Station, Bengaluru. The accused allegedly claimed that four bank accounts had been opened using the victim’s Aadhaar card and were linked to a money laundering case.
The fraudsters then allegedly posed as senior police officials and kept the victim under continuous video surveillance while creating fear of legal action.
Using intimidation, they allegedly obtained details of his bank accounts, fixed deposits, mutual funds, shares and other assets, and instructed him to liquidate investments and transfer money to different bank accounts and UPI IDs.
Victim transferred over Rs 15 lakh
The accused allegedly claimed that the money was being deposited into RBI auditors’ escrow accounts for verification and would be returned after the investigation. Fake RBI receipts were also allegedly sent to gain the victim’s trust.
Between January 9 and January 16, 2026, the complainant transferred Rs 15,31,997 to accounts provided by the fraudsters. He later realised that he had been cheated.
Following the complaint, an e-FIR was registered at Cyber Police Station Rohini, and an investigation was launched.
Money trail leads police to accused
During the probe, police found that the transferred money moved through multiple bank accounts.
Two major beneficiary accounts were identified, a Union Bank account in the name of Ankit, which received Rs 1,98,000, and a Bank of India account in the name of Aman Kumar, which received Rs 98,000.
Technical analysis showed that mobile numbers linked to both accounts were being used on the same device, and their location was traced to Ismailpur, Faridabad.
Based on technical surveillance and local intelligence, police conducted a raid in Village Deepari, Post Migholi, District Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, and arrested accused Ankit.
Kingpin allegedly converted fraud money into cryptocurrency
During interrogation, Ankit allegedly revealed that he worked for Mohammad Noor Alam, who arranged mule bank accounts for cyber fraud operations.
Police said Ankit admitted to providing four bank accounts, banking documents, SIM cards, Aadhaar card copies and consent letters.
Another accused, Saim Ansari, was later arrested for allegedly providing his bank account for cyber fraud activities and being in contact with gang operators through Snapchat.
The alleged kingpin, Mohammad Noor Alam, was arrested from Ismailpur, Faridabad.
The investigation revealed that Noor Alam allegedly arranged mule accounts and was in contact with a person named Bilal based in Pakistan.
According to police, the fraud proceeds were first deposited into accounts arranged by Noor Alam. He allegedly converted the money into USDT (cryptocurrency) and transferred it to Bilal in Pakistan, receiving commission in USDT which was later converted into cash through various bank accounts.
Probe continues into wider network
Further investigation revealed that the accused had initially come into contact with cyber fraudsters through Instagram.
Police said the three arrested accused were found with mobile phones, which have been seized.
The investigation is continuing to identify other associates involved in the racket and trace the complete money trail.