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 in connection with an alleged digital arrest scam in which an 80-year-old doctor from Kasaragod was reportedly defrauded of ₹1.19 crore.

The accused has been identified as Shamsad Choorakuth, a resident of Malattur in Malappuram. Police had issued a lookout circular after discovering that he had travelled abroad for employment.

Investigators allege that Choorakuth and his associates impersonated Mumbai Crime Branch officials and used threats of criminal action to pressure the elderly doctor into transferring large amounts of money.

Doctor Targeted Through Fake Mumbai Crime Branch Calls

According to investigators, the fraud took place between November 24 and December 17, 2025.

The victim, who lives in Nileswaram in Kasaragod, allegedly received repeated phone calls and WhatsApp video calls from people claiming to be Mumbai Crime Branch officers.

The callers reportedly told the doctor that his name had surfaced in a money-laundering investigation. They then falsely informed him that he was under “digital arrest” and instructed him to follow their directions.

The scammers allegedly maintained pressure on the victim by threatening him with legal consequences and claiming that transferring money to designated bank accounts would help establish his innocence.

Under the pressure, the doctor reportedly transferred a total of ₹1,19,35,000 from multiple bank accounts to accounts allegedly controlled by the fraudsters.

Suspect Intercepted at Hyderabad Airport

After receiving the doctor’s complaint, Kasaragod Cyber Police began investigating the financial transactions and communication records connected to the case.

During the investigation, police learned that Choorakuth had travelled outside India for work. Authorities subsequently issued a lookout circular covering immigration checkpoints.

On September 17, immigration officials at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad reportedly intercepted Choorakuth after he arrived in the country and informed Kerala Police.

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

Police Trace Money Trail and Other Suspects

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

Police are scrutinising the bank accounts that received the funds and analysing communication records believed to connect the accused with other members of the suspected cybercrime network.

The investigation is aimed at determining Choorakuth’s specific role and identifying additional individuals who may have participated in the operation.

How Digital Arrest Scams Work

Digital arrest frauds typically rely on impersonation, intimidation and prolonged online interactions.

Scammers may pose as police officers, investigators, judges or other government officials and falsely accuse victims of involvement in serious crimes such as money laundering or financial fraud.

Victims are often told that they are under investigation or “digital arrest” and are instructed to remain connected through phone or video calls. The criminals then use threats of arrest, prosecution or account freezing to pressure victims into transferring money.

The Kasaragod case follows this pattern, with the elderly doctor allegedly being kept under sustained psychological pressure before transferring his savings.

Investigation Continues

The arrest at Hyderabad airport has provided investigators with an opportunity to examine the suspected financial and communication network behind the alleged fraud.

Authorities are expected to continue analysing bank transactions, digital communications and other evidence to identify the wider network and determine whether additional victims or financial accounts are connected to the case.