Bhubaneswar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three accused and conducted searches at seven locations across Odisha and Rajasthan in connection with a digital arrest scam in which a retired public servant was allegedly duped of Rs 2.07 crore.
According to a CBI press release issued on Friday, the searches were carried out on June 30 as part of an ongoing investigation ordered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The agency had registered the case on March 25, 2026. The victim, a retired public servant, was allegedly coerced into transferring Rs 2.07 crore after being threatened with a fake “digital arrest”.
The investigation revealed that the defrauded money was routed through a bank account opened in the name of a trust. The funds were then allegedly layered and transferred through multiple bank accounts to conceal the proceeds of the crime.
The arrested accused are Bibekananda Dixit and Jayant Kumar Acharya, both from Balasore in Odisha, and Kanhaiya Lal from Nagaur in Rajasthan. The agency said the accused were actively involved in transferring and layering the fraud proceeds.
During the searches, the CBI seized several incriminating documents and electronic devices from the premises of the accused. The seized materials are being examined as part of the investigation.
The agency reiterated its commitment to taking stringent legal action against individuals and entities that facilitate cybercrime by providing access to or misusing banking infrastructure.
The CBI also cautioned the public against cyber frauds, including fake investment schemes, impersonation calls made in the name of law enforcement or regulatory authorities, and scams involving the fictitious concept of “digital arrest”. It clarified that there is no legal provision for any such form of arrest and urged citizens not to panic or comply with such fraudulent demands.
