Haveri: A teacher lost money in a digital arrest scam. A car driver was arrested, while two suspects are absconding. Police from the CEN (Cyber, Economic and Narcotics Crime) station arrested Arun Kumar, 35, a car driver from Koratikere village in Belur taluk, Hassan district, for allegedly extorting Rs 22.4 lakh from a govt high school teacher in Davanagere through digital arrest.Two other suspects are said to be on the run. On Feb 5, the accused contacted the teacher, posing as representatives of a courier company. They threatened her by claiming that narcotics and medicines were found in a parcel sent to Dubai in her name and that a case would be filed at the police station. According to police, the perpetrators obtained her Aadhaar card and email address.A woman, introducing herself as a DCP, conducted a video call via WhatsApp and digitally arrested the teacher. She allegedly intimidated her by stating that the arrested suspect was involved in a hawala money transfer and that bank account details and an ATM card were found with him. To resolve legal issues with the bank account, Rs 22.4 lakh was transferred to Arun Kumar and other bank accounts, the police explained.The teacher filed a complaint at the CEN station on March 12. Under the leadership of DYSP Bankali Nagappa, the police investigated the case and arrested Arun Kumar. Two other suspects are currently on the run.
