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Hyderabad police arrest two over Rs 29.17 lakh 'digital arrest' scam posing as Delhi Police, CBI and ED

Hyderabad police say they arrested two Ameerpet businessmen accused of moving money from a Rs 29.17 lakh 'digital arrest' scam in which callers posed as Delhi Police, CBI and ED officials. These are allegations; no conviction is reported.

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Source: thehindu.com · published

Illustration: Impersonation scams

What happened

The Hindu reported on 18 October 2026 that the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police arrested two Ameerpet businessmen, Mohd. Ashfaq Hussain and Ahmed Najeeb Uddin, on 17 October over their alleged involvement in a "digital arrest" scam in which a 63-year-old retired employee and his daughter were cheated of Rs 29,17,668. Police say they have linked the pair to about 16 cybercrime cases registered across India. The two were produced before a court. These are allegations made by police; the men have not been convicted, and no conviction is reported.

Telangana Today, UNI and Siasat carried the same police account, based on a release from Hyderabad police.

How the scheme worked

According to police, the fraud began on 3 March 2025, when unidentified callers posing as officials of the Delhi Police, the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate accused the retiree of involvement in a Rs 6.8 crore money-laundering case. They sent forged official documents, claimed his Aadhaar details and fingerprints had been misused and threatened him with arrest. They then persuaded him and his daughter to transfer the money "for verification", promising a refund and telling them to keep it secret "in the name of national security".

Investigators allege that the two accused, while facing financial difficulties, came into contact over WhatsApp with a Bengaluru resident named Sachin. Police say Sachin arranged for fraud proceeds to be paid into bank accounts provided by the pair, who allegedly withdrew the money by cheque and redeposited it into multiple accounts through cash deposit machines to hide the trail, in return for commission. Sachin allegedly used the funds to buy USDT cryptocurrency, which was then sold online for rupees. Police say efforts are under way to trace Sachin, who is absconding.

Why it matters

"Digital arrest" is not a legal procedure in India. Real police, CBI or ED officers do not hold people on video calls, ask for money to "verify" accounts or demand secrecy about an investigation.

Source

The Hindu, "Two arrested for duping man, daughter of ₹29.17 lakh in digital arrest scam; police identify links to 16 cases across India" (18 October 2026).

Red flags

  • A call claiming you're linked to a money-laundering case, from someone saying they're from the police, CBI or ED.
  • Official-looking documents or warrants sent over WhatsApp.
  • Claims that your Aadhaar details or fingerprints have been misused.
  • Instructions to transfer money 'for verification' with a promise of a refund.
  • Demands to keep the matter secret 'for national security'.

If you were targeted

  1. 1Hang up; no Indian agency carries out a 'digital arrest' or asks you to transfer money to clear your name.
  2. 2Check any claim by contacting your local police station yourself.
  3. 3If you've paid, call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 at once and report at cybercrime.gov.in.
  4. 4Tell your bank immediately so it can try to freeze the transfer.
  5. 5Never let your bank account be used to receive or move money for someone else; account holders can face prosecution.
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