Cyber Police Kashmir Zone in Srinagar has cracked a major digital fraud case involving ₹21 lakh, leading to the arrest of three individuals. The case came to light when a senior citizen from Srinagar filed a complaint, alleging that he had been defrauded of ₹21 lakh by cybercriminals. The fraudsters had impersonated officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to deceive the victim. They falsely accused him of being involved in a money laundering scheme worth ₹6.8 crores and threatened him with fabricated arrest warrants and penalties. Through psychological manipulation, the fraudsters convinced the victim that the matter was a “national secret” and instructed him to lock his house, avoid communication with others, and assured him that he would receive a refund within hours if he complied. Under intense pressure, the victim prematurely closed his fixed deposits and transferred ₹21 lakh into a fraudulent HDFC Bank account, believing he was following the instructions of legitimate authorities. Upon receiving the complaint, Cyber Police Kashmir initiated a swift investigation and registered FIR No. 26/2024. Using advanced technical tools, the police traced the suspects and identified their locations in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Punjab. The investigation led to the arrest of three individuals—Gaurav Kumar from Shamli (Uttar Pradesh), and Gurpreet Singh and Ujjawal Chauhan, both from Patiala (Punjab). During raids on the suspects’ properties, the police seized critical evidence, including four mobile phones, a MacBook, 13 SIM cards, 24 debit cards, 20 cheque books, and 10 passbooks. The evidence suggested a much larger network of cybercriminals operating across different states. The Cyber Police was able to recover ₹4.13 lakh and return it to the victim’s account. The arrested individuals face charges of fraud, conspiracy, coercion, and other relevant sections under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement agencies in other states collaborating to uncover additional conspirators and dismantle the broader network involved in these fraudulent activities. In light of the growing number of cybercrimes, SSP Srinagar, Imtiyaz Hussain, along with other senior police officials, urged the public to exercise caution when sharing sensitive financial information. They emphasised that legitimate government agencies will never conduct investigations or arrests through video calls or demand payments over the phone. Citizens were advised to verify the identity of callers claiming to be from official authorities and to report suspicious activities to the nearest Cyber Police station or cybercrime helplines. This case highlights the importance of digital vigilance and the need for public awareness to combat cybercrime. As technology continues to evolve, so too do the tactics employed by cybercriminals, making it essential for citizens to stay informed and cautious when engaging in financial transactions online. The Cyber Police Kashmir Zone remains committed to safeguarding the public from the growing menace of cybercrime and ensuring that those who engage in such fraudulent activities are brought to justice.