cyber crime
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: A major breakthrough has emerged in a high-profile cyber fraud case involving the cheating of a retired woman professor of nearly ₹3 crore under the pretext of a so-called “digital arrest” in Bihar’s capital. West Bengal Police have arrested one member of the fraud syndicate, identified as Shubham Rai.
The accused, a resident of the Saharanpur area in Hooghly district, was arrested by the Kalyani Cyber Police Station team. According to police, Rai was already under “digital arrest” by West Bengal Police in connection with another cyber fraud case involving ₹1 crore.
During interrogation, crucial details about his network and previous offences came to light, leading to the unearthing of the ₹3 crore fraud committed against the retired professor in Patna. West Bengal Police have informed the Patna Cyber Police Station about the development.
Patna Cyber Police are now preparing to take Shubham Rai on transit remand for further questioning. A police team from Patna is expected to travel to West Bengal shortly. Investigators believe that custodial interrogation could reveal key information regarding money trails, bank accounts used in the fraud, and the modus operandi of the entire gang.
The incident dates back to November 2024, when cyber criminals contacted 78-year-old retired Patna University professor Jyoti Verma, posing as officials of a government agency. By threatening her with alleged involvement in money laundering and other serious offences, the accused placed her under “digital arrest”. She was kept under severe psychological pressure for nearly 48 hours and warned not to contact anyone.
Overwhelmed by fear and stress, the professor prematurely broke her fixed deposits and transferred around ₹3 crore from various accounts to bank accounts specified by the fraudsters. The case had drawn widespread attention at the time.
Cyber Police Station in-charge Nitish Chand Dhariyan said that, apart from Shubham Rai, three other cyber fraudsters were involved in the crime. They are reportedly residents of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Police have identified all three and obtained arrest warrants against them, with assistance being sought from the respective state police forces.
Police officials noted that across the country, the highest number of cybercrime cases are linked to fake “digital arrests” and fraudulent investment schemes promising high returns. Citizens have been urged to remember that no government agency carries out arrests over phone or video calls. Such calls should be reported immediately to the cyber helpline 1930 or the nearest police station.
Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the entire gang and recover the defrauded amount.
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