PANAJI: In a significant breakthrough, the Cyber Crime Police Station, Goa, has solved a high-profile cyber fraud case involving a digital arrest scam, in which a victim was cheated of Rs 2.14 cr. The accused, a 25-year-old from Nashik, Maharashtra, was arrested following intensive surveillance and investigation by the Goa Police.
In a press note issued today, Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Rahul Gupta said, “The accused posed as officials from TRAI and CBI and falsely informed the complainant that he was under investigation in a money laundering case. Using fear and coercion, he tricked the victim into transferring over Rs 2 crore under the pretext of verification and settlement.”
The case, registered on June 23, 2025, under Crime No. 19/2025, invoked Sections 318(4), 319(2) read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 66-D of the Information Technology Act.
According to SP Gupta, the accused had contacted the victim on May 30, 2025, through WhatsApp using the number +96743655530. “The victim was told that multiple SIM cards had been fraudulently issued using his Aadhaar and that an FIR had been registered against him. He was then placed under so-called ‘digital arrest’ and forced to make multiple fund transfers to various bank accounts,” Gupta explained.
Following detailed technical and financial analysis, a police team led by PSI Kunal Verlekar, PC Sidesh Palni, and PC Aditya Naik, under the supervision of PI Deepak Pednekar, ASP Akshat Ayush (IPS), and SP Rahul Gupta (IPS), tracked the accused to Nashik and carried out the arrest.
“The accused, Rohan s/o Arun Jhadav, age 25, was arrested from Hanuman Nagar, Jail Road, Nashik. Preliminary investigation reveals that he was part of a larger network involved in cyber fraud and fund routing,” SP Gupta said.
Further investigation is underway to identify additional suspects and trace the full money trail. “This case highlights the evolving nature of cybercrime and the importance of public awareness and swift police action,” Gupta added.
