Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Cyber Crime Police Station, Goa, has arrested a 19-year-old from Nagpur in connection with a cyber fraud case involving ₹80 lakh, where a victim was duped under the pretext of a so-called “digital arrest.”
Police said the accused, identified as Anandkumar Danuram Verma, was apprehended in Nagpur following technical investigation and financial trail analysis. The case was registered under Crime No. 28/2025 for offences under Sections 318(4), 319(2) r/w 3(5) of the BNS, 2023, and Section 66-D of the IT Act, 2000.
According to the complaint filed by a 59-year-old resident of Canacona, the fraudsters, using WhatsApp numbers with Maharashtra and other codes, impersonated officials of NCRB, Sahar Police Station, and a public prosecutor. They falsely accused the victim of sending offensive messages against Hindu religion and the Government of India using a SIM card allegedly issued with his Aadhaar details. The complainant was then placed under “digital arrest” and coerced into transferring ₹80 lakh.
A police team led by PSI Sherwin Dacosta, with PCs Sanjiv Gawas and Sunil Renati, arrested Verma under the supervision of SP Rahul Gupta, IPS, ASP B.V. Shridevi, IPS, and PI Deepak Pednekar.
Investigators revealed that the accused received fraudulent funds in linked accounts, with the money trail being traced further. He has been produced before the court and remanded to police custody.
Police said further investigation is underway.
