CBI Files Chargesheet Against Axis Bank Officer, Firm Owner in ₹1.6 Crore Digital Arrest Scam

CBI files chargesheet against an Axis Bank officer and a firm owner in the ₹1.6 crore Delhi digital arrest scam involving cyber fraud.

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against an Axis Bank deputy manager and the owner of a Pulwama-based firm in connection with a ₹1.6 crore digital arrest scam that targeted a senior citizen in Delhi.

According to the CBI, fraudsters posing as law enforcement and judicial officials made video calls to the victim and coerced her into transferring ₹1.6 crore by falsely claiming she was under "digital arrest."

The case was transferred from the Delhi Police to the CBI by the Supreme Court and was registered by the agency in January 2026.

Who has been chargesheeted?

The two accused named in the chargesheet are:

Umer Iqbal, proprietor of M/s Himalayan Enterprises

Umer Ahmad Dar, Deputy Manager, Axis Bank

CBI alleged that the firm's bank account was used to receive money obtained through the fraud. A portion of the proceeds was allegedly paid to the Axis Bank officer for facilitating the siphoning of the funds.

What did the investigation reveal?

CBI said its investigation has uncovered the involvement of a transnational organised cybercrime network based in Southeast Asia in carrying out the digital arrest scam.

Chargesheet includes offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, and the Prevention of Corruption Act. These include criminal conspiracy, cheating, receiving stolen property, use of forged documents, computer-based impersonation, and bribery.

Agency reiterated that there is no legal concept of a "digital arrest" in India and urged citizens not to panic or comply with such calls. It also advised people to remain alert against impersonation scams and fraudulent investment schemes, and to report suspicious activities immediately through the cybercrime portal or the appropriate authorities.