Who is Rashesh Upadhyay? What is cyber fraud, digital arrest against him? How did ED catch him? Explained

Rashesh Upadhyay, also known as Rashesh Shah, is an advocate who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged nationwide cyber fraud and digital arrest ring, which is being investigated for money laundering.

Who is Rashesh Upadhyay?

His arrest on Saturday, October 24, took place at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, where an ED team from Panaji detained him at the boarding gate as he was preparing to board a flight to Delhi. According to a Press Trust of India report, customs officials and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel assisted the agency in locating him.

Upadhyay was subsequently taken to Panaji and produced before a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The court sent him to ED custody till October 29. His arrest brings the total number of people under investigation to seven.

The case centers on an alleged cybercriminal network whose accounts were linked to bank transactions worth nearly ₹28,000 crore and cash deposits of approx ₹2,900 crore, according to the ED.

What are the allegations against Rashesh Upadhyay?

Seeking his custody, the ED described Upadhyay as a “key node” in the alleged network. The agency told the court that he allegedly helped secure the release of bank accounts linked to the suspicious operation after police complaints led to their freezing.

According to the ED allegations, he negotiated bribes for officials through a network of private cash brokers, angadiyas. Investigators are looking into the identities of the officials who allegedly received the payments and the role played by other intermediaries.

The agency also alleged that although Upadhyay had registered as an advocate, he had not appeared or filed a vakalatnama, a document authorizing a lawyer to represent a client, for the accused individuals or companies linked to the network.

These are allegations made during an ongoing investigation. Arrest and detention do not establish guilt.

How to ₹Is the investigation into cyber fraud in the amount of 28,000 million crowns?

The investigation began after the Goa police registered a First Information Report on June 9, 2025. The case followed allegations that a Goa woman was placed under “digital arrest” by cyber fraudsters and forced to transfer ₹2.60 crore between May 21 and June 2 that year.

The ED said the money was routed through around 400 mule accounts linked to commodity, travel and foreign exchange companies allegedly run by shell directors. The funds were then withdrawn in cash and converted into foreign currency through exchange offices licensed by the Reserve Bank of India.

The investigation has since expanded considerably beyond the original complaint.

What is a digital arrest scam?

Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters impersonating police officers or other law enforcement officials during phone or video calls. They threaten victims with alleged criminal prosecution and force them to wire money, sometimes leaving them on the phone for extended periods of time to prevent them from seeking help.

There is no legal process in India to arrest someone through a video call. The government advises people who encounter suspected cyber financial fraud to report it through the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or the official portal cybercrime.gov.in.