Surat: The Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) arrested an absconding accused in a “digital arrest” fraud case involving extortion of Rs 1.34 crore from a 90-year-old woman in Karnataka.The accused, identified as Jignesh alias Jigo Mistry Vaghadiya, 42, currently residing in Amroli, was apprehended by the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) on Thursday from New Kosad Road in Amroli.Police said Vaghadiya was wanted in connection with a case registered at Kolar Cyber Police Station in Karnataka. Investigators consider him a key member of a digital arrest racket that specifically targeted elderly victims by impersonating govt and law enforcement officials.According to the investigation, the fraud took place in Dec 2024. The 90-year-old woman first received WhatsApp calls from a man posing as an officer of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). He falsely claimed that her mobile number was being used for illegal activities and threatened that her phone services would be disconnected.Soon after, she began receiving video calls from other members of the racket, who allegedly posed as officials from the Delhi Police and the CBI. They kept her under digital arrest.Under sustained fear and psychological pressure, the woman was allegedly coerced into transferring Rs 1.34 crore to bank accounts operated by the fraudsters.Surat police described Vaghadiya’s arrest as a significant breakthrough in the case. Further investigation is underway to trace other members of the gang and uncover the wider network behind the cyber fraud operation.
