The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a chargesheet against a Siliguri-based individual and a related company for their involvement in a significant cyber fraud case amounting to nearly Rs 23 crore. The case, transferred to the CBI by the Supreme Court of India, revolves around a complex cyber fraud where a senior citizen in Delhi was deceived through fake legal notices and impersonation of law enforcement and judicial authorities via video calls.
The accused, identified as Sagnik Roy, has been apprehended and is presently in judicial custody. The chargesheet also includes a company named Securing World Social and Economic Development Council, allegedly utilized as a front to carry out the fraudulent transactions. Investigations by the CBI unveiled that the accused and his company’s bank account received the defrauded funds from the senior citizen in Delhi under the guise of a “digital arrest” strategy commonly employed by cybercriminals to induce fear by falsely claiming legal scrutiny or detention.
The accused individuals masqueraded as law enforcement and judicial officers during video calls, instilling a sense of urgency and fear that coerced the victim into transferring substantial amounts of money. Further scrutiny revealed that the same bank account was linked to at least two other cyber fraud cases across the country, where the proceeds of crime were channeled through a network of mule accounts to obscure the money trail.
The CBI issued a cautionary advisory to the public, advising vigilance against such fraudulent practices, particularly those employing “digital arrest” tactics. It emphasized the absence of any legal basis for a “digital arrest” and warned against succumbing to panic or complying with deceptive calls. Citizens were urged not to disclose personal or financial information to unknown callers and to verify the legitimacy of such claims with relevant authorities. Additionally, the agency cautioned against fraudulent investment schemes and impersonation calls purportedly from law enforcement or regulatory bodies, encouraging prompt reporting of any suspicious activities to prevent such crimes and facilitate timely intervention.
