CBI Files Chargesheet Against Axis Bank Deputy Manager and Kashmir-Based Firm Owner in ₹1.6 Crore Digital Arrest Scam
New Delhi, August 5, 2026:
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against a Deputy Manager of Axis Bank and the owner of a firm based in Pulwama, Kashmir, in connection with a digital arrest fraud case involving ₹1.6 crore. The case relates to an alleged cybercrime in which a senior citizen from Delhi was targeted by fraudsters impersonating law enforcement and judicial authorities.
According to the CBI, the victim was allegedly deceived through video calls by criminals who falsely presented themselves as officials with the authority to investigate and take legal action against her. By creating fear and making her believe she was facing serious legal consequences, the fraudsters allegedly pressured her into transferring a substantial amount of money.
The investigation has uncovered the suspected involvement of a bank account used to receive money obtained through the scam. The CBI alleges that the owner of the private firm allowed the firm’s current account to be used for receiving fraudulent funds, while part of the proceeds was allegedly paid to the bank’s Deputy Manager to facilitate the transfer and siphoning of the money.
Supreme Court Transfers Case to CBI
The case initially came under the investigation of the Delhi Police. However, considering the circumstances of the matter, the Supreme Court transferred the investigation to the CBI.
The central agency registered the case in January 2026 and began investigating the alleged fraud, tracing the movement of the stolen money and identifying individuals suspected of helping the perpetrators.
During the investigation, the CBI arrested the owner of the private firm whose current account was allegedly used to receive the proceeds of the digital arrest scam. Investigators subsequently examined the suspected role of the bank official and the alleged financial arrangements connected with the movement of the funds.
The chargesheet represents a significant development in the investigation, as the agency seeks to establish how the alleged fraud was carried out and whether individuals with access to banking facilities helped the criminals move the money.
Bank Account Allegedly Used to Transfer Fraud Proceeds
According to the CBI, the investigation revealed that the current account of the Pulwama-based firm was allegedly used to receive money obtained from the victim.
The agency further alleges that a portion of the proceeds of the crime was paid to the Deputy Manager of Axis Bank in return for facilitating the siphoning of funds. Investigators are examining the alleged financial links and the roles played by the accused in the transactions.
The case highlights the importance of preventing the misuse of banking infrastructure by cybercriminals. Bank accounts and financial services can become part of a wider fraud network when they are allegedly used to receive, transfer or conceal money obtained through illegal activities.
The CBI has emphasised that it intends to take strict legal action against individuals and entities suspected of assisting cybercriminals by misusing banking or telecommunications infrastructure.
Investigation Points to an International Cybercrime Network
The CBI stated that its investigation so far has revealed the suspected involvement of a transnational organised gang based in Southeast Asia in carrying out the digital arrest fraud.
The alleged international links suggest that the operation may have involved coordinated activities across multiple locations, with different individuals potentially responsible for contacting victims, collecting money and transferring the proceeds.
Investigators are examining the financial trail and other available evidence to establish the connections between the alleged perpetrators and the accused persons named in the chargesheet.
The agency has filed charges under several legal provisions relating to criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen property, cheating, the use of forged documents, cheating and impersonation through computer resources, and bribery.
The charges include relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
What Is a Digital Arrest Scam?
Digital arrest scams involve criminals impersonating police officers, investigators, judicial officials or representatives of government agencies through phone calls and video calls. They may falsely accuse victims of involvement in criminal activities, financial irregularities or other serious offences.
The fraudsters often create a sense of urgency and threaten arrest, legal proceedings or damage to the victim’s reputation. Under pressure, victims may be persuaded to transfer money, supposedly for verification, investigation or security purposes.
The CBI has made it clear that there is no legal concept of a “digital arrest” in India. Genuine law enforcement authorities do not place individuals under arrest through video calls or demand money to settle an investigation in this manner.
Members of the public should remain cautious when receiving unexpected calls from people claiming to represent law enforcement or regulatory agencies, particularly when the callers demand money or threaten immediate legal action.
CBI Issues Warning to the Public
Alongside the investigation, the CBI has urged citizens to remain vigilant against digital arrest scams, fraudulent investment schemes and impersonation calls made in the name of government authorities.
The agency has advised people not to panic or comply with suspicious instructions received through phone or video calls. Individuals who receive such calls should independently verify the claims and report suspected cybercrime to the appropriate authorities or through the official cybercrime reporting portal.
The case serves as a reminder that cybercriminals may exploit fear and trust to deceive even careful individuals. It also highlights the importance of monitoring suspicious financial transactions and ensuring that banking facilities are not misused to facilitate cybercrime.
The CBI’s investigation remains focused on establishing the full extent of the alleged fraud, tracing the proceeds and determining the responsibility of the accused through the legal process.
News Source: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) – Official Press Release
