Bhubaneswar, May 22 (UNI) The Cyber Crime Unit of the Odisha Crime Branch has arrested a man from Howrah for allegedly defrauding a person of Rs 73.62 lakh by threatening him with a so-called "digital arrest."

According to sources at the Odisha Police headquarters on Thursday, mobile phone, SIM card, Aadhaar card, and other incriminating items of the accused, identified as Rohit Kumar Jaiswal, have been seized, and his bank accounts have also been frozen as part of the investigation.

The case was registered following a complaint lodged on May 15 by a resident of Paradip at the Cyber Police Station. In his complaint, the victim stated that Rohit impersonated an officer of the CBI and Delhi Police. He falsely informed the victim that a parcel booked in his name had been seized by the Delhi Customs Department.

The accused claimed the parcel contained ATM cards, 15 Indian passports, two laptops, four kilograms of fabric, and narcotics. He further alleged that the parcel was being sent from Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, to Shanghai, China.

Exploiting fear and confusion, Rohit coerced the victim into transferring Rs.73.62 lakh to various bank accounts under threat of a so-called "digital arrest." The victim later realized he had been defrauded and approached the authorities.

The Crime Branch has urged the public to remain vigilant against individuals posing as law enforcement or judicial officers on social media and messaging platforms.

CB officials clarified that the concept of "digital arrest" does not exist in Indian law and advised citizens to report such frauds immediately by calling the Cyber Helpline at 1930 or visiting the nearest police station.

UNI DP BD