Ludhiana, July 12 -- The cyber crime police have arrested a key accused in a Rs.20-lakh digital arrest fraud case in which a senior citizen was allegedly duped by fraudsters posing as government officials. The accused, identified as Gautam Punia, a resident of Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested after a raid conducted by the cyber crime investigation team. The arrest was made in connection with an FIR registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station in 2025. According to investigators, Punia was part of a larger cyber fraud network that impersonated officials and placed the victim under a fake "digital arrest" by threatening him with legal action. The fraudsters allegedly used psychological pressure to force the victim into transferring money to multiple bank accounts. Investigating officer sub-inspector Harinderpal Singh said the victim had transferred Rs.20 lakh to accounts controlled by the accused. During questioning, Punia allegedly revealed that Rs.6 lakh of the cheated amount was routed through his bank account. Police suspect the remaining amount was distributed among other members of the network. Three other accused involved in the fraud are yet to be arrested. Officials are identifying the absconding suspects as the probe progresses. htc...