A startling case of cyber fraud has emerged from Ranchi, Jharkhand, where a retired individual was conned out of ₹50 lakh after being digitally ‘arrested’ by a cybercriminal posing as an officer from a central investigative agency like the ED (Enforcement Directorate), CBI, or NIA.
The Modus Operandi
The victim received a video call from a person claiming to be from the ED, accusing him of involvement in a ₹300 crore scam and money laundering. The fraudster threatened him with immediate arrest and jail time, using high-pressure tactics to create fear. In a panic, the victim complied and transferred ₹50 lakh into the fraudster’s account.
Accused Arrested in Gujarat
The case was reported to the Cyber Crime Police Station under Jharkhand’s Crime Investigation Department (CID). Following an investigation, the accused, Ravi Hasmukhlal Godhaniya (27), a resident of Junagadh district, Gujarat, was arrested.
What Was Recovered:
CID officials found that ₹79 lakh had been deposited into Godhaniya’s Indian Bank account in a single day, which has now been frozen.
Sophisticated Scamming Tactics
The scammer would make video calls pretending to be from top agencies and fabricate stories of alleged involvement in criminal cases. To avoid arrest, the victims were manipulated into transferring huge sums of money instantly.
The accused rerouted the stolen funds through multiple accounts to avoid detection.
CID's Warning to the Public
Authorities have issued a stern warning:
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No central investigation agency conducts arrests via video calls
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Never transfer money under pressure or threat
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If you receive such suspicious calls, immediately report them
Victims are advised to:
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Call 1930 (Cyber Crime Helpline)
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File a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in
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Visit the nearest police or cyber police station
