New Delhi — Three people, including two women, have been arrested in connection with the 'digital arrest' of a woman who was allegedly threatened by a man impersonating an IPS officer and cheated of Rs 71 lakh, Delhi Police said on Sunday, PTI reported. The accused were arrested from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh following an investigation by the police's Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit, which also unearthed a network of mule bank accounts allegedly used to route proceeds of cyber frauds.

Source: PTI

According to police, the victim received an internet-based video call from a person impersonating an IPS officer posted in Mumbai. The caller claimed that a credit card issued in her name was being used for money laundering involving transactions worth around Rs 6.5 crore, and threatened her with arrest and judicial custody, telling her she would have to transfer money for verification to avoid legal action. Intimidated, the woman transferred Rs 71 lakh through two bank transactions. An e-FIR was registered at the Special Cell police station on October 8.

Source: PTI

Police said the arrestees — a 31-year-old woman, 28-year-old Aman Soni and his 30-year-old sister — were allegedly part of an organised cybercrime network and provided mule bank accounts to facilitate the movement of cheated funds. IFSO DCP-I Gaurav Tyagi said the team traced the financial trail and identified several bank accounts allegedly used to receive and divert the money, leading them to Bhopal.

Source: Top Indian News

Police found that around Rs 15 lakh was allegedly withdrawn and distributed among the accused and their associates, and that a portion of the cheated money was used to purchase expensive mobile phones. Three newly purchased mobile phones, allegedly bought using proceeds of the fraud, have been recovered. Further investigation is underway to identify other members of the network, trace the remaining amount and establish the wider financial links, police said. The allegations are yet to be tested in court.

Source: PTI