Delhi High Court Denies Bail in ₹22.92 Crore ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam, Cites Organized Conspiracy

April 24, 2026 : The Delhi High Court has refused both regular and anticipatory bail to four men accused of orchestrating a ₹22.92 crore fraud involving a so-called “digital arrest” of a senior citizen, observing that the case points to a deeper and more complex conspiracy.

Justice Manoj Jain noted that several suspects remain absconding and a significant portion of the defrauded money is yet to be traced. In such circumstances, the Court held it would be premature to grant bail, emphasizing that the full scope of the conspiracy can only be uncovered through continued investigation and trial.

Rejecting the defence that the accused were merely facilitators or unaware participants, the Court found that their roles appeared integral to the functioning of the alleged fraud network. It cautioned that granting relief at this stage could hamper the ongoing probe, which has now been taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The case stems from a complaint filed by a man in his late 70s, who alleged that he was targeted by fraudsters posing as telecom officials and later as senior law enforcement officers. He was falsely informed that his identity had been used in financial crimes and was subjected to what was described as a “digital arrest.” During this period, he was isolated, kept under continuous video surveillance, and threatened with legal consequences.

According to investigators, the victim was coerced into transferring ₹22.92 crore over several weeks. Of this amount, ₹1.90 crore was routed through a bank account linked to one of the accused. The prosecution stated that the funds were rapidly moved across multiple accounts, with various individuals allegedly managing bank accounts and mobile connections to funnel the money through mule accounts.

The accused contended that they had only shared bank or mobile details and were not direct beneficiaries of the fraud. They argued that the seriousness of the allegations alone should not justify denial of bail, and those seeking anticipatory bail claimed prior cooperation with investigators, asserting that their implication was largely based on statements of co-accused.

Addressing the broader issue, the Court expressed concern over the rising trend of “digital arrest” scams, noting that such crimes prey on the vulnerability of senior citizens and erode public trust. It underscored the need for a careful and firm approach, given the wider societal impact of such offences.

The Court also observed that custodial interrogation may be necessary to trace the money trail and identify other members of the network, particularly in light of the digital evidence involved. It concluded that the case reflects organized criminal activity, where each participant plays a significant role in executing the fraud.