CBI Takes Over Investigation into ₹1.64 Crore ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam Targeting Senior Citizen

NEW DELHI – Following a direct order from the Supreme Court of India, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the probe into a massive “digital arrest” scam where a 76-year-old widow was allegedly defrauded of her entire life savings totaling ₹1.64 crore.

The CBI’s Cyber Crime Branch registered the Regular Case (RC2332026E0001) on January 9, 2026, re-registering an original FIR filed by the Delhi Police in August 2025.

The Victim’s Ordeal

The complainant, Mrs. Nalini Misra, a widowed pensioner residing in Munirka Village, New Delhi, reported being a victim of a sophisticated online financial fraud on August 24, 2025. According to the FIR, unknown perpetrators used impersonation and forged electronic records to deceive her into delivering her property.

The scammers allegedly subjected her to a “digital arrest,” a psychological manipulation tactic used to siphon a staggering ₹1,64,00,000 from her bank accounts.

Supreme Court Intervention

The investigation was transferred to the CBI after the Supreme Court intervened in a Suo Motu Writ Petition regarding victims of digital arrest scams. On December 16, 2025, a bench led by the Chief Justice of India noted the gravity of the case, observing that despite an FIR being registered months earlier, the victim’s “voice has not been heard in the corridors of the Banks and the investigating agencies”.

The Court further noted:

• The victim is a senior citizen whose entire life savings were siphoned off.
• The Delhi Police was directed to hand over all case files to the CBI to ensure a more effective investigation.
• The Court is also considering broader recommendations for victim compensation and stricter regulations for intermediaries.

Legal Charges and Probe Status

The CBI has booked the unknown accused under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023:

• Section 308: Relating to extortion/impersonation.
• Section 318(4): Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
• Section 319: Cheating by personation.
• Section 340: Forgery for the purpose of cheating.

The investigation has been entrusted to Sub-Inspector Raghvendra Lawaniyan of the Cyber Crime Branch-EO-IV.

In a related directive, the Supreme Court has also ordered telecommunication service providers to strictly regulate the issuance of SIM boxes, which are frequently exploited by cybercriminals to facilitate such large-scale digital arrest scams .