Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a major breakthrough, the Cyber Crime Police Station of Goa has successfully solved a high-value cyber fraud case involving a “digital arrest” scam in which a victim was duped of ₹2,14,40,132. The case was registered on 23 June 2025 under Crime No. 19/2025 for offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 319(2) read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66-D of the Information Technology Act. The fraud began on 30 May 2025 when the accused contacted the victim through WhatsApp using the number +96743655530, impersonating officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The accused falsely informed the victim that an FIR had been registered against him in connection with the Naresh Goyal money laundering case and that multiple SIM cards had been issued under his Aadhaar card. Under the threat of being placed under “digital arrest,” the victim was coerced into transferring over ₹2.14 crore across several bank accounts, under the pretext of verification and settlement of the case.
A detailed investigation, including technical surveillance and financial analysis, led the Goa Police to Nashik, Maharashtra. A team comprising PSI Kunal Verlekar, Constables Sidesh Palni and Aditya Naik, under the supervision of PI Deepak Pednekar, ASP Akshat Ayush (IPS), and SP Rahul Gupta (IPS), travelled to Nashik and apprehended the accused. The arrested individual has been identified as Rohan Arun Jhadav, a 25-year-old service professional residing at Hanuman Nagar, Lokhande Mala, Mhasoba Mandir, Jail Road, Nashik. Initial findings indicate that the accused was involved in routing illicit funds extracted through similar cyber frauds.
The Goa Police reiterated its commitment to combating cybercrime and urged the public to remain vigilant against unsolicited calls or messages demanding money or personal details. Citizens are advised to report any such incidents immediately at the nearest police station or through the Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
