Bengaluru digital arrest: Accused linked to ₹15 crore Belagavi cyber scam
The case is believed to be the largest “digital arrest” cyber scam in the state. | Photo credit: Getty Images
Six interstate cyber fraud suspects arrested in connection with the ₹24 crore ‘digital arrest’ scam involving a 74-year-old retired teacher in Bengaluru have also been found in connection with another ₹15 crore cyber fraud case in Belagavi, officials of the Karnataka State Cyber Command said on Monday.
According to them, two of the arrested accused – Palak Bhai Patel and Amit Narendra Patel from Ahmedabad, Gujarat – are allegedly involved in a similar digital arrest scam registered with the Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS) in Belagavi. The Belagavi police have obtained arrest warrants against the duo, who are currently in the custody of the Bengaluru City Cyber Crime Police for further investigation.
Bengaluru City Police arrested six persons for cybercrime namely N. Sivagnanam from Erode, Tamil Nadu, Akkach Mallick from Mumbai, Maharashtra, Palak Bhai Patel from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Amit Narendra Patel from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Om Prakahi which is a link with Gamarrav from Kukushan in New Be the biggest cyber “digital arrest” scam in the state as the victim lost ₹24 crore.
Police said the victim, a 74-year-old senior from Bengaluru, was allegedly caught by fraudsters posing as senior CBI and Enforcement Directorate officials. The accused allegedly put her under “digital arrest” and forced her to transfer ₹24 crore from her ICICI Bank account over a period of nearly two months. The victim transferred the money through 26 transactions to 23 mule bank accounts linked to 10 different banks across the country between February 10 and April 24.
Further investigation revealed that Sivagnanam is allegedly involved in four other cyber fraud cases while Akkach Mallick is linked to three more cyber crime cases. Officials said that ₹1.46 crore has been recovered so far, while another ₹1.40 crore is in the process of recovery. Police are continuing their investigation to track down the remaining suspects and uncover a larger interstate cyber fraud network involved in the digital arrests.
Published – 25 May 2026 22:07 IST