Two arrested in ₹1.35 crore digital arrest scam case

Image for representational purposes only

The Kozhikode city cyber crime police have arrested two Kannur natives in connection with a digital arrest scam case in which a Kozhikode woman allegedly lost ₹1.35 crore.

The arrested have been identified as TM Mohammed Hanan, 23, of Kathiroor, and T. Mohammed Shahzad, 21, of Koothuparamba.

According to the police, the accused impersonated officers of the Mumbai Crime Branch and contacted the complainant through WhatsApp voice calls and video calls. They allegedly threatened her and claimed that a SIM card was obtained using her Aadhaar details, which is being used for various financial frauds.

Officials said the accused convinced the woman to transfer money in her bank accounts for verification by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), promising to return it with interest. The complainant lost a total of ₹1,35,14,000 through 13 transactions from three bank accounts.

Investigation revealed that ₹5 lakh of the defrauded amount was credited to the bank account of one of the accused. The amount was subsequently withdrawn through checks and ATMs and transferred to other bank accounts, police said.

Officials said the investigation was intensified to identify other accused, trace the wider financial network through which the money was transferred and recover the defrauded amount.

The local court sent the accused to judicial custody.

Published – 27 Oct 2026 21:01 IST