Kozhikode Duo Arrested in Digital Scam Bust

Speedy Summary:

• Kerala Police have arrested two individuals, K.V. Arjun (24) and C.V.shidin (23),from Kozhikode in connection with a digital arrest scam where an elderly couple lost ₹18.15 lakh.
• The accused posed as enforcement officials from Mumbai and contacted the victims via WhatsApp, falsely claiming involvement in money laundering cases to extort funds in instalments.
• They threatened the couple with bank account freezes and fabricated details about some accounts under scrutiny, leading the victims to transfer money to unknown accounts as a supposed legal measure to “compound the offence.”
• Months-long investigations by Kerala’s hi-tech cyber investigation cell involved tracking hundreds of bank transactions, eventually revealing local suspects rather than initially suspected North Indian operators.
• Authorities suspect additional technical support from an external gang and plan to uncover more similar fraud cases soon.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The arrest of K.V. Arjun and C.V. Shidin underscores growing challenges posed by sophisticated digital scams targeting vulnerable populations like elderly citizens in India. This incident reveals how scammers are exploiting social engineering tactics combined with technological no-how to gain victims’ trust while evading detection for extended periods of time. The success of Kerala’s hi-tech crime investigation cell signals progress in cybercrime management at a regional level but also highlights gaps that must be addressed nationwide regarding public awareness and preventive measures against such scams.

Given India’s increasing reliance on digital connectivity across age groups, this case carries broader implications for improving education on cybersecurity practices among users while bolstering technical expertise within enforcement agencies across all states.

For more information: Published – July 23, 2025 07:10 pm IST