Fake TRAI Official Scam in Greater Noida: Digital Arrest Leads to ₹1.29 Crore Fraud

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A Greater Noida resident has lost ₹1,29,61,962 in an elaborate online extortion scheme in which fraudsters impersonated officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

Victim Loses ₹1.29 Crore in TRAI Scam

The perpetrators falsely accused the victim of illicitly transferring his banking details and threatened legal action from the Central Bureau of Investigation. A sessions court has denied bail to the primary suspect, Akash, along with two accomplices, Indresh and Narendra Singh, as investigators continue to trace the financial flow of the stolen funds.

The Scam Unfolds

The scam began on February 6 when the victim received a call from an unidentified number. The caller, claiming to be Ajay Kumar and representing TRAI, alleged that the victim’s mobile number was being used for illegal activities and warned of a potential CBI inquiry. The fraudsters required the victim to maintain a continuous video call, a tactic known as digital arrest, which relies on psychological pressure rather than legal authority.

Digital Arrest Tactics

The scam escalated when the perpetrators accused the victim of selling his bank account to an individual named Naresh Goyal, who was allegedly involved in criminal transactions. Under sustained coercion, the victim transferred the entire sum of ₹1.29 crore across multiple bank accounts, believing compliance would prevent legal consequences. Even after the transfers, the fraudsters continued to fabricate an ongoing investigation, sending forged documents that falsely indicated the money would be returned.

Pattern of Digital Arrest Scams

This case follows a recurring pattern of digital arrest scams across India, mirroring incidents in Bengaluru, where a software engineer lost ₹11.8 crore, and in Lucknow, where a retired merchant navy officer and his father were defrauded of ₹1.29 crore. Judicial bodies have increasingly addressed the legal implications of these schemes, including a recent case involving an 82-year-old retired banker who was subjected to a 30-day virtual detention and extorted ₹22.92 crore.

Government and Expert Responses

The Ministry of Home Affairs has identified digital arrest as a rapidly expanding cybercrime category, noting that fraudsters frequently impersonate officials from the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Reserve Bank of India, TRAI, and state police forces. These schemes often combine spoofed caller IDs, fabricated legal documents, and AI-generated visuals to enhance credibility during video calls.

Judicial Shift in Handling Scams

The sessions court’s decision to reject bail for the accused reflects a judicial shift toward treating digital arrest fraud as a serious organized crime, given the substantial financial harm and psychological manipulation involved. Authorities allege the suspects specifically impersonated government officials to gain trust before leveraging threats of legal action, leading to charges of extortion, fraud, and criminal conspiracy.

Investigation and Legal Challenges

Law enforcement is currently analyzing the distribution of the ₹1.29 crore across multiple accounts to determine if the funds were further obfuscated through additional transfers, a common challenge in such investigations. Cybercrime experts emphasize that requests for money transfers during alleged government investigations are red flags, as no legitimate agency mandates such actions.

“Victims are deliberately subjected to prolonged surveillance to amplify pressure and ensure compliance,” said Prof. Triveni Singh, a cybercrime specialist and former IPS officer.

Statistics and Impact

The case underscores the growing threat of digital arrest scams, which have caused over ₹22,495 crore in losses to Indian citizens in 2025 alone, according to the National Human Rights Commission. These figures contribute to a cumulative ₹52,976 crore in cyber fraud losses over six years, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced public awareness and regulatory measures.