LUCKNOW, Oct. 23 -- The Cyber Crime Police of Lucknow has arrested a fraudster who impersonated a CBI officer and digitally "house arrested" a victim to extort Rs 1.18 crore. The accused, identified as Kamlesh Kumar, tricked the victim through fake investigative calls, threats, and fabricated documents, a police release read on Wednesday. On September 22, 2025, complainant Hirak Bhattacharya received a WhatsApp call from a man identifying himself as Vijay Khanna, a police officer. The caller claimed that a fake bank account had been opened in Bhattacharya's name at Canara Bank, Delhi, through which fraudulent transactions were being carried out. Moments later, another fraudster, Rahul Gupta, posing as an Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer, contacted the victim and convinced him that he was under investigation for financial irregularities. Under pressure and fear of arrest, Bhattacharya was forced to transfer Rs 1,18,55,000 into various bank accounts. The accused continuously monitored the victim through WhatsApp calls, forbidding him from contacting anyone and warning him about "confidential investigations." He even sent fake arrest warrants and court seizure orders, effectively placing the victim under digital confinement until the money was transferred. After the victim's complaint, a case was registered under Sections 318(4), 319(2) of the BNS and Section 66(D) of the IT Act. A team led by inspector Brijesh Kumar Yadav, in-charge of Cyber Crime Police Station, was formed. The team traced and arrested Kamlesh Kumar (39), a resident of Saifpur Tedhemaou, Kakori, Lucknow. During interrogation, Kamlesh confessed that he met a man named Anurag from Sitapur, who offered him a 2% commission for opening a bank account and providing its documents and SIM card. Kamlesh opened an account in IndusInd Bank, Gomti Nagar, and handed it over to Anurag. Further investigation revealed that Anurag was linked to foreign-based cyber networks that received their share in cryptocurrency (USDT). The money collected from victims across India was routed through these accounts to overseas destinations. Police scrutiny through the NCCRP portal found 22 complaints linked to Kamlesh's accounts from various states. He was also arrested by Uttarakhand Police in September 2025 in a similar fraud case involving multiple crores. Police clarified that "digital arrest" has no legal standing in India. Citizens are urged not to panic if they receive such calls and to avoid transferring money under pressure. In case of cyber fraud, victims should immediately contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in....