Fake ATS Officers Use 'Digital Arrest' Scheme to Defraud Indian Couple of Rs 90 Lakh

Three individuals have been arrested in Lucknow for impersonating Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officers in an elaborate cyber fraud scheme that conned a couple out of Rs 90 lakh (approximately $10,900). The case highlights a growing trend of "digital arrest" scams in India, where fraudsters use psychological manipulation and fabricated legal threats to coerce victims into transferring large sums of money.

According to Lucknow police, the fraudsters employed sophisticated tactics including fake arrest warrants and official-looking documents to convince their victims that they faced imminent legal action. The couple, believing they were under investigation, transferred funds to accounts controlled by the perpetrators between January 29 and February 9 of this year.

Background and Context

The "digital arrest" fraud represents an increasingly common form of cybercrime in India, where criminals exploit citizens' limited familiarity with digital legal processes and their fear of authorities. These schemes typically involve fraudsters claiming to be law enforcement officials who can supposedly resolve legal matters remotely—for a price.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad is a specialized unit of various Indian state police forces responsible for combating terrorism and related activities. By impersonating ATS officers, fraudsters leverage the unit's serious reputation to intimidate victims into compliance.

Key Figures and Entities

The investigation conducted by the Cyber Crime Police Station in Lucknow led to the arrest of three suspects: Mayank Srivastava, Irshad, and Manish Kumar (also known as Akash). According to police statements, the trio operated a coordinated scheme that involved creating convincing fake documents and maintaining the deception through multiple communications with their targets.

The victims, whose identities have not been disclosed to protect their privacy, were reportedly subjected to sustained pressure over several days before making the financial transfers. Police have not revealed whether the suspects have prior criminal records or connections to larger fraud networks.

Legal and Financial Mechanisms

The fraudsters' methodology relied on psychological manipulation rather than technical sophistication. By creating a sense of urgency and legal jeopardy, they bypassed their victims' rational decision-making processes. The use of official-sounding terminology like "digital arrest" created a veneer of legitimacy that was difficult for non-specialists to question.

Financially, the scheme relied on victims transferring funds to accounts that could be quickly accessed and dispersed, making recovery difficult. The transfers occurred over an 11-day period, suggesting either that the fraudsters requested incremental payments or that the couple needed time to arrange the full amount.

International Implications and Policy Response

While this case originated in India, similar "digital arrest" schemes have been reported globally, particularly in countries with growing digital economies but limited digital literacy among older populations. The case underscores the challenges that law enforcement agencies face in tracking and prosecuting cybercriminals who operate across jurisdictional boundaries.

Indian authorities have increasingly warned citizens about such scams, with the Cyber Crime Police Station in Lucknow issuing public advisories about the dangers of responding to unsolicited communications from alleged law enforcement officers requesting financial transactions. However, the continued success of such schemes suggests that more comprehensive awareness and education initiatives may be necessary.

Sources

This report is based on official statements from the Cyber Crime Police Station in Lucknow, as reported by Devdiscourse News Desk on February 17, 2026. Additional context was provided through previous reporting on similar cyber fraud schemes in India.