Overview

• Cyber police detained 21-year-old Kartik Chaudhary for allegedly acting as a money mule, with ₹1.98 lakh moved through his account before he withdrew the cash and passed it to handlers for a commission.
• An FIR against unidentified accomplices was registered after police flagged the massive outflow through internal inputs and visited the 81-year-old victim, with efforts continuing to trace the network and diverted funds.
• In these coercion schemes, callers impersonate officials, keep victims on continuous video or voice links, circulate forged notices and threaten arrest to force transfers, and authorities reiterate that no agency demands money by phone.
• The MHA’s multi-layered response includes the NCRP portal and 1930 helpline for quick reporting, CFCFRMS-enabled account freezes, and large-scale telecom action blocking about 9.42 lakh SIMs and 2.63 lakh IMEIs linked to cybercrime.
• Mumbai Police operate 24x7 lines 7715004444 and 7400086666 for people trapped in a ‘digital arrest’ situation, with teams available to reach victims during emergencies.