New Delhi, Aug 6: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against the proprietor of a Kashmir-based firm and an Axis Bank Deputy Manager for their alleged involvement in a Rs 1.6 crore “digital arrest” cyber fraud that duped a senior citizen in Delhi.
The accused have been identified as Umer Iqbal, proprietor of M/s Himalayan Enterprises, Pulwama, and Umer Ahmad Dar, Deputy Manager of Axis Bank.
According to the CBI, the victim was deceived by fraudsters posing as law enforcement and judicial officials through video calls. The fraudsters falsely claimed that she was under investigation and coerced her into transferring Rs 1.6 crore under the pretext of a so-called “digital arrest.”
The case was transferred to the CBI by the Supreme Court from the Delhi Police and was registered by the agency in January 2026.
During the investigation, the CBI arrested the proprietor of the private firm after finding that the firm’s current account had been used to receive the proceeds of the cyber fraud.
The probe further revealed that a portion of the defrauded money was allegedly paid to the Axis Bank Deputy Manager for facilitating the siphoning of funds.
Investigators said the fraud was orchestrated by a transnational organised criminal network operating from South-East Asia.
The chargesheet has been filed under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including criminal conspiracy, cheating, receiving stolen property and use of forged documents. The accused have also been booked under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act for cheating and impersonation using computer resources, besides the Prevention of Corruption Act for bribery-related offences.
Reiterating its commitment to combating cybercrime, the CBI said it would take stringent action against individuals and entities that enable the misuse of banking and telecom infrastructure.
The agency also advised citizens to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes, especially those involving so-called “digital arrest” tactics, stressing that there is no legal concept of a “digital arrest” in India.
People have been urged not to panic or comply with such fraudulent calls and to immediately report suspicious activities through the National Cyber Crime Portal or the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
