India’s first ‘digital arrest’ live rescue: How Bhopal cops saved man from multi-crore scam | Crime News

In Bhopal’s first live digital arrest case, a victim was held for six hours by scammers posing as officials before being rescued by police. Quick action saved him from a major financial fraud.

Bhopal: In a first for India, a victim was held in a live “digital arrest” for six hours in Bhopal before being rescued by the police. Fraudsters impersonating officials from Mumbai Crime Branch and CBI tricked the victim, Vivek Oberoi, into a video call on Skype, using fear tactics and fake allegations of money laundering to control and isolate him.

The scammers demanded private information, threatened arrest and warned him against contacting anyone. The incident only ended when the victim requested ID proof, prompting the criminals to cut the call. A concerned neighbour alerted the police, who acted swiftly, preventing a major fraud and saving the victim from significant financial loss.

How the digital arrest worked

The fraudsters initially contacted Vivek, claiming that his Aadhaar and other personal documents had been used to open fake bank accounts across India. They insisted he download Skype, where they began a fake interrogation, using multiple devices to create a realistic setup of a police inquiry. 

During the six-hour standoff, the victim was confined to a single room and bombarded with questions about his personal and banking details.

The accused claimed to be officials from Mumbai Crime Branch and CBI, using their fake authority to intimidate Vivek. They threatened that if he shared details of the digital arrest with anyone, he would be immediately detained, and his family members would be harmed. They also sent a fraudulent money laundering notice to further scare the victim into compliance.

Police intervention

The victim’s request for identity verification made the scammers uneasy, leading them to disconnect the call abruptly.

Sensing something wrong, a neighbour informed the police, who intervened promptly, stopping what could have been a multi-crore-rupee fraud. 

Dimple Singh

Dimple Singh is a journalist by profession and an accomplished author. Currently serving as a Senior Sub-Editor at News 9, she brings with her 5 years of valuable experience in digital journalism from her previous company Times Of India. Her expertise lies in writing about crime and political news, where she skillfully combines her digital news writing abilities with a deep understanding of AI technology.


In the realm of literature, Dimple has authored five compelling fictional books. Her writing reflects a passion for powerful storytelling, capturing the imaginations of readers with every word. Dimple is known for her workaholic nature, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to her profession and her love for words.

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