ED arrests sixth accused in Goa digital arrest case linked to Rs 417 crore losses
The ED arrested a sixth person on 16 October 2026 in a Goa digital arrest case, alleging he arranged bank credits for a network linked to reported losses of about Rs 417 crore.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested a sixth person on 16 October 2026 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in a "digital arrest" cyber fraud case involving a resident of Goa. The Special Court (PMLA), Goa remanded him to ED custody up to 19 October 2026. According to the ED, the victim was coerced into transferring about Rs 2.6 crore.
What Happened
The ED's case is based on an FIR, or first information report, registered by the Cyber Crime Police Station, North Goa. According to the ED, the victim was kept on a video call, made to believe she was under criminal investigation, and coerced into moving money into accounts falsely described as "Secret Supervision Accounts".
The ED alleges that the money entered a network of companies set up to receive cyber fraud proceeds by bank transfer, convert them into cash and then into foreign currency. The agency said the accounts of this network figure in over 300 victim complaints and more than 160 FIRs across over 20 States and Union Territories, with reported losses of about Rs 417 crore.
According to the ED, the arrested person worked as an RTGS agent for the network, arranging bank credits into its accounts through brokers and receiving cash in return while keeping a commission. The ED said that in his statements under the PMLA he admitted knowing the money came from cyber frauds, including digital arrest frauds. The agency also alleges that he destroyed records and mobile handsets after the ED searches, did not appear on the date fixed for his statement, and gave evasive replies when he did appear.
These are allegations, not findings of guilt; the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, and due process continues. Further investigation is under way, the ED said.
What It Means
As described by the ED, the scheme in this case followed a clear pattern: a video call, a false claim that the victim was under criminal investigation, and pressure to send money to accounts given official-sounding names.
Anyone who receives such a call, or has already lost money this way, can report it at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call the cyber fraud helpline 1930.
This report describes enforcement actions and allegations on the public record, attributed to the officials cited. An order, FIR or chargesheet is not a conviction; parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Named in this report, or spotted an error? Corrections and responses: editor@oquilia.com. We correct errors promptly and record responses from named parties.
Sources & Citations
- Enforcement Directorate press release — Enforcement Directorate