Laos based cybercrime gang exposed in Indore digital arrest case:350 SIM cards routed abroad, 19 arrested so far; victim was ‘digitally arrested’ for 4 days

Indore Crime Branch has arrested two more men, one from Gujarat and another from Punjab, in the ongoing probe into a massive ‘digital arrest’ fraud, taking the total number of accused held so far to 19. The case involves the online cheating of a 59-year-old woman, who was defrauded of Rs 1.60 crore after being threatened with fabricated money-laundering charges. Part of a larger international cybercrime network Police now confirm that the operation is not limited to multiple Indian states but is part of an organised international cyber network. During interrogation, the two newly arrested suspects including Saurabh Singh (Vapi, Gujarat) and Patras Kumar alias Kelis (Firozpur City, Punjab) revealed that several SIM cards were sent to Laos, where a foreign syndicate is believed to be running digital-arrest, investment-fraud and extortion operations. Police say these SIM cards helped the overseas gang mask their identity, contact victims in India, and carry out crimes across borders. How the gang chose its victims The Crime Branch uncovered that the syndicate specifically targeted single women and men aged 40 to 70, after checking their profiles on social media platforms and dating applications. Victims were chosen based on vulnerabilities like living alone, financial stability, and lack of family support, making them easier to manipulate and intimidate. The gang then impersonated officials of the CBI, RBI, Enforcement Directorate, or police, threatening victims with arrest, freezing of accounts or fabricated criminal cases. The modus operandi The complainant in Indore was contacted over Skype and WhatsApp video calls, where the fraudsters claimed she was involved in a money-laundering case. Under the guise of verification, they obtained access to her bank accounts, fixed deposits and share investments, ultimately siphoning off Rs1.60 crore. Crime Branch registered a case under Sections 318(4), 308(2), 316(5), 111(4), and 3(5) of the BNS and began a multi-state crackdown. Supply chain of SIM cards uncovered During interrogation, Patras and Saurabh admitted to procuring over 350 SIM cards, often using identities of people from rural areas. These SIMs were then distributed through layers of handlers and forwarded to Laos-based operatives. Saurabh, a hotel management graduate, and Patras, who studied till Class 12, said they were initially lured with job offers and later drawn into cybercrime networks operating across India and Southeast Asia. States connected so far Accused arrested in the case hail from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and West Bengal, illustrating the expansive reach of the syndicate. Police advisory: stay alert against ‘Digital Arrest’ scams Indore Police urged citizens to remain vigilant: · No government agency arrests or interrogates via WhatsApp or video calls. · Never share bank details, OTPs or personal data with unknown callers. · Report any such threats immediately to the nearest police help centre. · Understand your legal rights to avoid falling prey to ‘digital arrest’ extortion. Crime Branch has formed a special team to further investigate the international links and dismantle the entire network.