JABALPUR– A doctor from Jabalpur became the latest victim of an organized cyber fraud network. The doctor received a phone call from someone pretending to be a government official. The caller claimed that the doctor’s name was linked to illegal activities and that immediate payment was necessary to avoid arrest. Under pressure and fearing legal trouble, the doctor transferred ₹1.25 lakh to the account provided by the caller. Only later did it become clear that the call was a hoax—a part of a larger scam sweeping across several Indian states.
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Scam Operation Spanned Multiple Cities
The money was transferred into an account registered under the name “S.K. Rice Wholesaler & Trading.” This account was operated by fraudsters in Kolkata and Bengaluru. The investigation led police to Mohammad Sahin Khan, who was arrested in Bengaluru on July 2. Khan had allowed his bank account to be used in the scam and received a ₹1.5 lakh commission for his role. In a parallel development, police arrested Buddhadev Hazara in Kolkata. Hazara, who had previously worked at a private bank, was responsible for arranging fake business accounts. He received around ₹3 lakh from the racket.
Inside the “Digital Arrest” Scam Tactic
This type of cybercrime is known as a “digital arrest” scam. In such cases, the victim is told over the phone that their identity is involved in criminal activity and they must transfer money immediately to avoid arrest. The fraudsters often spoof phone numbers to make it seem like the call is coming from a law enforcement agency. Investigators say this method of scaring professionals—especially doctors and lawyers—has become increasingly common. It is carefully planned to exploit fear and urgency.
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Larger Network Still at Large
The Jabalpur police are now coordinating with cyber cells in multiple states to uncover the broader network behind this fraud. One of the key suspects still at large is a man known only as “John,” who is believed to be operating out of Barrackpore in West Bengal. The total money siphoned from the doctor’s account was ₹14.85 lakh, which was distributed among various fake accounts before disappearing. Authorities are now working on tracking the flow of money, freezing bank accounts, and identifying other victims. More arrests are expected as the case unfolds.
