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ED makes 6th arrest in pan-India digital arrest fraud case

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activeCyber Crime / Digital ArrestPan India

ED makes 6th arrest in pan-India digital arrest fraud case

The Enforcement Directorate made its sixth arrest in a money laundering investigation connected to an alleged nationwide cyber fraud and digital arrest scam. Authorities took a person identified as an agent into custody and produced them before a special court in Panaji, which granted custody until October 19. Investigators allege the arrested individual acted as an RTGS agent, utilizing brokers to arrange bank credits for the criminal network in exchange for commissions.

State

Multiple States

First reported

October 2026

Total transactions under investigation

Rs 30,000 crore

Agency involved

Enforcement Directorate and Goa Police

Arrests made

6 arrests by the Panaji ED office

Linked complaints and FIRs

300 cyber fraud complaints and 163 FIRs across 20 states and Union territories

Cash seized

About Rs 3.25 crore

Status

Ongoing money laundering investigation with multiple arrests and judicial custody orders

The full story

Everything you need to know about this case, in one place.

The investigation began after Goa Police registered an FIR on June 9, 2025. According to reports, a Goa-based resident was allegedly placed under digital arrest by fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials and forced to transfer Rs 2.60 crore between May 21 and June 2, 2025. Digital arrest involves scammers threatening victims through video or audio calls, virtually holding them hostage to pressure them into transferring funds.

The Enforcement Directorate discovered that money stolen from the Goa victim was deposited across numerous bank accounts, withdrawn as cash, and converted into foreign currency using money changers. The financial trail revealed an interconnected network of entities handling massive banking transactions, with shell companies listing drivers and employees as directors. The network's accounts are linked to hundreds of cyber fraud complaints and multiple FIRs across numerous states and Union territories.

Not yet reported: The articles do not mention the final court verdicts or the total recovery amount beyond the cash seized during specific raids.

Where the case stands

The latest position in the reports we read.

The investigation is ongoing, with the sixth suspect remanded to Enforcement Directorate custody until October 19 following a court appearance in Panaji.

Who was affected

Described in general terms; we do not name victims.

A Goa-based woman and numerous other individuals across at least 20 states and Union territories who fell victim to cyber fraud and digital arrest scams, linked to over 300 complaints and 163 FIRs.

Timeline

Key dates as reported, oldest first.

May 21, 2025 to June 2, 2025A Goa-based victim allegedly transferred Rs 2.60 crore into secret accounts following a digital arrest.

June 9, 2025Goa Police registered an initial FIR regarding the digital arrest fraud.

July 2025The Enforcement Directorate conducted the first round of searches in Goa and Mumbai.

August 21, 2025The Enforcement Directorate carried out a subsequent round of searches, seizing about Rs 3.25 crore in cash.

October 2026The sixth arrest in the money laundering case was made, involving an individual accused of acting as an RTGS agent.

How the scam worked

The method described in the reports.

Fraudsters contacted victims via audio or video calls, posing as law enforcement officials and subjecting them to digital arrest.
Scammers threatened victims and virtually held them hostage to pressure them into transferring money online.
Stolen funds were deposited into hundreds of different bank accounts.
The illicit money was withdrawn as cash and converted into foreign currency through RBI-licensed money changers.
Shell and dummy companies were set up using drivers and employees living in single-room accommodations as their directors to facilitate the operations.

Targeted by something similar?

Call 1930 (free, 24x7) straight away, then file at cybercrime.gov.in. Money reported in the first hours is far easier to freeze.

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Keep reading

More cases like this one.

Marriage promise leads to ₹1.46 crore fraud, 4 arrestedCyber Crime / Digital Arrest · Multiple States Two people lose nearly ₹1 crore in ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraudsCyber Crime / Digital Arrest · Multiple States Mahadev App Scam | Rs 508 Crore, 20 Crore Cash Claim: Why CBI's Chandrakar Arrest Could Spell Trouble For BCyber Crime / Digital Arrest · Multiple States 6.5 lakh investors, 2-month probe: Gujarat cops bust Rs 1,200 crore SD Pay app scamCyber Crime / Digital Arrest · Multiple States

Sources and further reading

Optional. The full story is above; these are the original reports it was prepared from.

economictimes.indiatimes.comOriginal report The Economic TimesOpens via Google News

Prepared by Report Scams, with the help of AI, from the published reports listed above. Check those reports for the latest. Cases here describe allegations. An FIR, arrest or charge is not a finding of guilt. To report a mistake, or to ask for a correction or removal, write to our Grievance Officer. See also the Safe Posting policy.