CBI files charge sheet against five in Kerala digital arrest case

Kochi, April 28 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet against 5 accused, including a company, in connection with a ‘Digital Arrest’ case, an agency statement said on Tuesday.

The people accused, in the charge sheet filed on Saturday, are C.S.Saleeshkumar, Blessin Jacob Abraham, Mohammed Junaid Hussain, and Mohammad Mushtaque, while the company is JCSS Capital International Pvt Ltd.

Three of the charge-sheeted accused are currently in judicial custody.

This case was registered by CBI on November 24, 2025, on the directions of the Kerala High Court.

A senior citizen had been defrauded of over Rs 1.8 crore by intimidating her with fake notices purporting to be issued by law enforcement agencies and judicial authorities.

The cyber criminals were in contact with her over video calls.

The arrested persons include two persons who operated the accounts used for receiving the proceeds of crime in the case and an associated company.

It also includes an accused who sourced such accounts and provided them to cyber criminals.

Another accused played a key role in fraudulently issuing the SIM cards used by cyber criminals to contact the complainant.

Investigation so far points to the role of transnational organised groups involved in cybercrime against Indian citizens from scam compounds in South-East Asia.

Digital arrest fraud is rapidly emerging as a major cybercrime threat in the country, with scammers impersonating police or central agencies to intimidate victims into transferring money.

Cases have surged from about 39,000 in 2022 to over 1.2 lakh in 2024.

Victims are often held in virtual custody, highlighting a shift toward psychologically coercive, high-pressure scams targeting even educated individuals.

The CBI reiterated its firm commitment to taking stringent legal action against individuals and entities that assist cybercriminals by allowing the misuse of banking and telecom infrastructure.

The public is advised to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes, particularly those involving so-called “digital arrest” tactics, it advised.

The CBI emphasised that there is no legal concept of a digital arrest.

Citizens are urged not to panic or comply with such calls.

Members of the public are further cautioned against fraudulent investment schemes and impersonation calls made in the name of law enforcement or regulatory agencies.

Any suspicious activity should be promptly reported to the appropriate authorities or cybercrime portal.

--IANS

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