Bengaluru: Kolkata Police arrest mastermind Chirag Kapoor of nationwide digital arrest scam

Kolkata police have apprehended Chirag Kapoor, a key figure behind a nationwide digital arrest scam, in Bengaluru. Kapoor is allegedly linked to 930 cases of digital fraud, where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials on video calls, threaten victims with arrest over fabricated charges, and coerce them into transferring significant sums of money.

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One notable victim, Debashree Dutta, was scammed out of Rs 47 lakh after fraudsters falsely accused her of using her credentials to send a parcel containing illegal drugs. Under threat of legal action, Dutta was tricked into making multiple payments as directed by the criminals.

The investigation into the scam began after police traced a payment of Rs 7.4 lakh made by Dutta to an account at Jana Small Finance Bank, linked to Uma Burney, the proprietor of Brain Burst Robotics. Following raids in September 2024, police arrested eight individuals and uncovered a makeshift office used for creating fake accounts and selling them to fraudsters across the country. The authorities seized numerous banking documents, mobile phones, SIM cards, and other materials used in the scam.

Kapoor, identified as the mastermind, orchestrated the operation through agents while maintaining a low profile. The investigation also led to the arrest of one of Kapoor’s associates in Delhi in October 2024.