ED arrests two in Rs 30,000-crore pan-India cyber fraud, digital arrest cases

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, Aug 24, 2026: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday confirmed the detention of two persons in connection with its probe into an alleged pan-India cyber fraud and digital arrest network involving transactions worth around ₹30,000 crore, sources told PTI.

According to a report by Mid-Day, the two accused, identified as Fahim Moin Hussain Sayed and Naim Mueen Sayyed, were taken into custody from Mumbai on Sunday.

The money laundering investigation stems from a complaint filed by a Goa-based woman who was allegedly duped of ₹2.60 crore between May and June 2025. The cyber fraudsters allegedly subjected her to a “digital arrest” and forced her to transfer the money to so-called “Secret Supervision Accounts.”

During the investigation, the ED reportedly found that the alleged cybercrime network was involved in bank transactions worth around ₹27,000 crore and cash dealings amounting to another ₹3,000 crore.

The agency found that the fraud proceeds were allegedly routed through mule bank accounts, withdrawn through ATMs and cash deposit machines, and later converted into foreign currency through RBI-licensed money changers.

The development comes amid a sharp rise in digital arrest scams across the country. Last month, the Supreme Court suggested that the Centre consider formally recognising “digital arrest” as a standalone offence under criminal law, with stringent punishment to tackle such frauds effectively.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing around 20 major digital fraud cases involving losses of ₹10 crore or more. Several of these cases are allegedly linked to transnational cybercrime syndicates operating using forged documents.