New Delhi: In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has denied anticipatory bail to a man facing charges in a high-stakes digital fraud case. The accused allegedly extorted a staggering ₹1.75 crore from a complainant by posing as a police officer during a WhatsApp video call and presenting fabricated Supreme Court orders.
Justice Amit Mahajan, delivering the verdict on September 25, emphasized the growing prevalence and sophistication of digital frauds. The court noted that these crimes often involve complex technological methods and multiple communication devices, making them increasingly difficult to investigate. “Such crimes are on the rise and the same tend to be significantly harder to crack due to the boon of technology that is effectively misused by crooks to wreak havoc and evade the law enforcement,” the judge stated.
The court highlighted that crucial evidence, including a SIM card used for communications with the victim, was found to be in the possession of the applicant during the commission of the offense. Justice Mahajan stressed that the investigating agency requires ample scope to conduct a comprehensive investigation, and granting pre-arrest bail at this stage would impede this process.
The judge further added that the allegations against the applicant do not suggest any malicious intent or attempt to humiliate the individual by the investigating authorities. Finding no prima facie evidence of false implication, the court dismissed the application for anticipatory bail.
The case stems from a complaint filed on May 6, 2024, where the complainant reported being contacted by an individual claiming to be a police officer from Mumbai’s Tilak Nagar police station. The victim was falsely led to believe that his Aadhaar card had been used to purchase a SIM card, which was then allegedly used for sending inappropriate messages. The accused also fabricated links to Jet Airways owner Naresh Goyal, claiming the complainant was involved in money laundering and receiving funds from Goyal, threatening severe action.
To lend credibility to their scheme, the accused even engaged in video calls, appearing in police uniforms and showcasing a simulated police station setup. They further presented documents purported to be from the Supreme Court and the CBI, demanding personal identification, financial details, and the transfer of all the victim’s funds into their accounts.
Following the complaint, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police registered a case involving forgery, impersonation, and digital manipulation.