The Sampadak Express News Desk
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have arrested two businessmen from Ameerpet for allegedly participating in a “digital arrest” scam that duped a 63-year-old retired employee and his daughter of ₹29.17 lakh. The arrests were made on Saturday, October 17, in Hyderabad, and investigators said they have found links to about 16 cybercrime cases across India.
Police identified the accused as Mohd. Ashfaq Hussain and Ahmed Najeeb Uddin. According to investigators, the case began on March 3, 2025, when callers impersonating officials of the Delhi Police, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate accused the retiree of involvement in a ₹6.8 crore money laundering case.
The callers allegedly sent forged documents, claimed his Aadhaar data and fingerprints had been misused, and threatened arrest. They then persuaded the victim and his daughter to transfer ₹29,17,668 for “verification,” promising a refund and instructing them to keep the matter confidential in the name of national security, police said.
Investigators said Hussain and Uddin came into contact with a Bengaluru resident named Sachin through WhatsApp while they were facing financial difficulties. Sachin allegedly arranged for fraudulent funds to be routed into bank accounts provided by the two men.
The duo withdrew the money through cheques and redeposited it into multiple accounts using cash deposit machines to obscure the trail, police said. According to investigators, Sachin used the proceeds to buy USDT cryptocurrency, which was then sold online for Indian rupees, and the arrested men received commissions for facilitating the transfers.
The accused were produced before a court. Police said efforts are underway to trace Sachin, who is absconding.
