Daijiworld Media Network - Kerala
Kerala, Feb 26: In a major nationwide operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 25 carried out coordinated searches across six states, arresting three individuals in connection with a Rs 1.86 crore ‘digital arrest’ scam that targeted a senior citizen in Kerala.
The agency said the case involved a complex web of mule bank accounts, shell companies, and fraudulently procured SIM cards, with possible international linkages. Detailed digital forensics and financial trail analysis revealed the scam network operating across multiple states.
• Blessin Jacob Abraham, apprehended from a hotel in Goa, is alleged to have operated mule accounts and facilitated cryptocurrency transactions linked to the fraud. Several digital devices were recovered from him.
• Mohammad Mushtaque, arrested in Nagpur, is described by the CBI as a “shell company operator” who allegedly used shell companies to manage mule accounts and receive criminal proceeds. Multiple debit cards and digital devices were seized from his premises.
• Mohammad Junaid, taken into custody from Bengaluru, is accused of fraudulently obtaining SIM cards by offering “5G SIM upgrades” and misusing KYC documents. These SIMs were reportedly used in cyber-fraud operations, possibly orchestrated from abroad.
The CBI said the operation aimed to dismantle the enabling ecosystem behind ‘Digital Arrest’ scams. Investigations are ongoing to identify additional domestic and international collaborators and to break down the broader cyber-fraud infrastructure.
“This operation represents a significant step in tackling sophisticated digital scams targeting vulnerable citizens,” the agency said in a statement.