Man Arrested at Hyderabad Airport in ₹1.19 Crore Digital Arrest Fraud

Kerala Police have arrested a man at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport over an alleged digital arrest scam in which an 80-year-old doctor from Kasaragod was reportedly cheated of ₹1.19 crore.

The accused, identified as Shamsad Choorakuth, a resident of Malattur in Malappuram, was intercepted by immigration officials after police issued a lookout circular against him. Investigators allege that he was part of a group that impersonated Mumbai Crime Branch officers to intimidate the elderly victim and extract money from him.

Fraudsters Claimed Doctor Was Linked to Money Laundering Case

The alleged fraud occurred between November 24 and December 17, 2025.

The doctor, who lives in Nileswaram, Kasaragod, reportedly received repeated phone calls and WhatsApp video calls from individuals claiming to represent the Mumbai Crime Branch.

The callers allegedly told him that his name had been connected to a money-laundering investigation. They then claimed that he had been placed under “digital arrest” and warned him of serious legal consequences.

Using these threats, the fraudsters allegedly instructed the victim to transfer money into several bank accounts as part of a supposed process to clear his name.

The doctor ultimately transferred ₹1,19,35,000 from multiple bank accounts to accounts allegedly controlled by the suspects.

Lookout Circular Leads to Airport Interception

After the victim reported the incident, Kasaragod Cyber Police began investigating the financial transactions and communications associated with the alleged fraud.

During the investigation, police reportedly discovered that Choorakuth had travelled overseas for employment. Authorities subsequently issued a lookout circular to immigration checkpoints.

On September 17, immigration officials at Hyderabad airport reportedly intercepted him after his arrival and notified Kerala Police.

A cybercrime team from Kasaragod then travelled to Hyderabad and took custody of the suspect. Following his arrest, Choorakuth was produced before the Kasaragod Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, which remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody.

Police Investigate Financial Trail

Investigators are now examining the movement of the ₹1.19 crore allegedly transferred by the victim.

Police are checking the bank accounts used in the transactions and analysing communication records to determine Choorakuth’s alleged links with other members of the suspected fraud network.

The investigation is also focused on establishing the accused’s precise role and identifying other people who may have been involved in the operation.

What Is a Digital Arrest Scam?

Digital arrest scams are a form of cyber fraud in which criminals impersonate police officers, government officials, investigators or judicial authorities.

Fraudsters typically tell victims that they are involved in a criminal investigation and use threats of arrest, prosecution or account restrictions to create fear.

Victims may be kept on prolonged phone or video calls while being instructed to transfer money to accounts controlled by the scammers.

In this case, investigators allege that the same tactic was used to convince the elderly doctor that he needed to transfer money to avoid criminal proceedings.

Investigation Into Wider Network Continues

The arrest at Hyderabad airport is now part of a wider investigation into the alleged cyber fraud network.

Police are expected to follow the financial trail and examine digital communications to identify additional suspects and determine whether other people were targeted using similar methods.

The case also highlights the growing use of impersonation and intimidation in online financial scams targeting elderly victims.