Kannur Cyber Police Arrest Man for Extorting Doctor
Incident Overview
Kannur City Cyber Police have apprehended a 28-year-old man from Ludhiana, Punjab, for allegedly extorting Rs 10.5 lakh from a female doctor in Thalassery, Kerala. The accused reportedly threatened the doctor with a “digital arrest” to compel her into paying the extortion amount through a fabricated money laundering case.
Details of the Fraud
The incident occurred on November 30, 2025, when the fraudster, impersonating a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer from Mumbai, contacted the doctor via WhatsApp video call. He falsely claimed that a money laundering case had been registered in her name, pressuring her to transfer funds to resolve the issue.
Financial Transactions
The doctor, believing the threats, transferred a total of Rs 10,50,000 across various accounts. The accused subsequently withdrew the money using cheques.
Police Investigation
Following directives from Police Commissioner Nidhinraj P, the Kannur City Police initiated an investigation and tracked the accused to a village in Ludhiana, as reported by the news agency PTI. Despite the accused frequently changing locations and the Kerala police team facing severe weather conditions in Punjab, he was captured after five days of surveillance.
Related Cases of Cyber Fraud
In a separate incident, a 63-year-old senior doctor from Jorhat Medical College and Hospital became a victim of a similar scam, losing Rs 49 lakh due to a fake “digital arrest.” This case, reported by Medic Helpline, began on November 19, 2025, when the doctor received a WhatsApp video call from an unidentified number. The victim has since filed an urgent complaint with the Superintendent of Police in Jorhat, requesting the registration of an FIR and a prompt investigation into the matter.