CBI charges five in Kerala digital arrest fraud case

NEW DELHI, April 28, 2026:-The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against five accused, including a private company, in connection with a major digital arrest scam in Kerala.

The case, which was registered in November 2025 following directions from the Kerala High Court, involved the defrauding of a senior citizen of more than 1.8 crore rupees.

The victim was intimidated through video calls and fake notices by individuals impersonating law enforcement and judicial authorities.

Investigations revealed a complex network where the accused managed bank accounts to receive stolen funds and illegally procured SIM cards to facilitate the scam.

Among the five charged, three are currently in judicial custody. The probe suggests that the operation is linked to transnational organized crime groups operating from scam compounds located in South-East Asia.

The agency has cautioned the public that the concept of a digital arrest does not exist in Indian law. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant against impersonation calls and fraudulent investment schemes.

The CBI remains committed to taking strict legal action against those who misuse banking and telecom infrastructure to assist cybercriminals, urging the public to report any suspicious activity to the authorities or the national cybercrime portal.