ADCP Rajesh Dandotiya | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 13, 1975 Morena district, Madhya Pradesh |
| Occupation | Police Officer, Author |
Notable work |
|
| Website | rajeshdandotiya |
Rajesh Dandotiya (born 13 June 1975) is an Indian Author and Indian Police Service officer serving as the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), Crime Branch, Indore, Madhya Pradesh.[1][2] He is known for supervising investigations into cyber fraud, "digital arrest" scams, online betting and financial crime cases, and for conducting large-scale public awareness campaigns on cyber security.[3][4][5]
Early life[edit | edit source]
Rajesh Dandotiya was born on 13 June 1975 in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh.[6]
Career[edit | edit source]
Dandotiya serves in the Madhya Pradesh Police as Additional DCP, Crime Branch, in the Indore Police Commissionerate.[1] he has served as supervising officer in a series of cybercrime, financial fraud and organised-crime cases reported in regional and national media.[7][8][9][10][11]
He received media attention in 2024 when a group of scammers, attempting to run a “digital arrest” fraud, contacted him without realising he was a senior police officer. Reports described how they tried to convince him that a criminal case had been registered in another state and that his bank accounts would be blocked. He kept the call going, recorded the interaction, and eventually switched to a video call in uniform, after which the callers disconnected. The incident was later used by the Indore Police to highlight how such scams typically work.[2]
Investigations reported in the media[edit | edit source]
As head of the Indore Crime Branch, Dandotiya has supervised several investigations into scams described as "digital arrest" frauds, in which callers impersonate officials and keep victims under constant surveillance on video calls while coercing them to transfer money.
- In February 2025, the crime branch raided a "dark room" call centre in Delhi that was allegedly being used to conduct digital-arrest frauds targeting senior citizens across India. The operation followed the complaint of a woman from Indore who was reportedly defrauded of ₹46 lakh after being told she was under investigation for terrorism and money-laundering offences. The raid led to the arrest of a 22-year-old suspect and the seizure of devices and data containing information on thousands of pensioners, according to The Times of India.[12]
- In June 2025, he was cited as Additional DCP (Crime) in an investigation involving an 80-year-old retired school principal from Indore who narrowly avoided transferring over ₹1 crore after a similar digital-arrest scam. Bank staff alerted the crime branch when the victim attempted to liquidate her deposits, and Dandotiya’s team intervened, advised her to switch off her phone and later registered a case once the calls resumed."[13]
- In December 2024, he briefed the media about the arrest of a man from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, who allegedly posed as a courier company employee and, along with accomplices impersonating police and Reserve Bank of India officials, defrauded a software engineer of about ₹1.35 lakh. The case was reported as a digital-arrest-style scam, with the crime branch tracing and freezing bank accounts linked to the fraud.[14]
- In November 2025, the Free Press Journal reported that the Indore Crime Branch, acting on a complaint filed via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, arrested a fourth accused in an online "task-based" cheating case in which a complainant lost about ₹60 lakh after being lured with initial small profits. Dandotiya stated that the arrested man’s alleged role was to provide multiple bank accounts used for routing the proceeds of the fraud and that more than 40 accounts had been frozen during the investigation.[15]
Financial and betting offences[edit | edit source]
Dandotiya has also been mentioned in media coverage of financial crime and betting investigations led by the Indore Crime Branch.
- In June 2025, he told The Times of India that the crime branch had arrested two men from Gujarat in connection with the fraudulent withdrawal of about ₹64.05 lakh from the bank account of an Additional District Judge serving at the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in Indore. According to the report, the suspects were held after the branch manager of the court campus branch of the State Bank of India lodged a complaint about unauthorised transfers.[16]
- In November 2025, The Times of India reported that two absconding members of an inter-state online betting racket operating through a website named "Varun Online Hub" were arrested by the Indore Crime Branch. The article stated that the branch, led by Additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya, had earlier arrested ten members of the same network, and that the two newly arrested suspects were responsible for generating virtual user IDs and monitoring online betting operations.[17]
Narcotics and arms cases[edit | edit source]
- In June 2025, he informed reporters that the crime branch had arrested an alleged arms smuggler from Barwani district and seized eight country-made pistols, magazines and live cartridges from the suspect’s possession during a raid on Rau–Rajendra Nagar Road on the outskirts of Indore.[18]
- Later that month, The Times of India quoted him as saying that two men from Mandsaur had been arrested by the crime branch with 151 g of MD drugs (MDMA) valued at more than ₹1.5 crore in the international market. According to the report, the arrests followed a tip-off and a police trap laid under an Indore metro bridge.[19]
- In November 2025, he was again cited as Additional DCP (Crime) after the crime branch arrested a man in Indore’s Shivaji Nagar area and recovered 12.60 g of brown sugar, valued at around ₹1.3 lakh internationally. The suspect was reportedly detained during night patrols after allegedly attempting to flee from a police team.[20]
Other reported incidents[edit | edit source]
Dandotiya has been mentioned in coverage of other incidents handled by Indore police. For example, in November 2025 The New Indian Express cited him as Additional DCP (Crime) while reporting on a complaint by a national-level shooter who alleged molestation by a bus conductor on a Pune-bound bus transiting through Indore. He told the newspaper that police had facilitated an alternative driver and conductor for the onward journey and were awaiting a written complaint from the athlete.[21]
Cyber Inititiatives in Indore[edit | edit source]
- Digital Suraksha Initiative by Rajesh Dandotiya – Cyber Message, Cyber BridgeCyber Spark[22]
- She Safe – for Women’s[22]
- Cyber Youth – College students[22]
- Cyber Vaani – Akashvani program[22]
- Cyber Insights – Panel Discussion with industry leaders.[22]
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Rajesh Dandotiya married Neeti Dandotiya, a Deputy SP in the Madhya Pradesh Police. The couple have two sons named Samyak and Satyarth.[22]
Cyber awareness work[edit | edit source]
Dandotiya has been reportedly involved in public outreach on cyber-security. Schools, colleges and local institutions in Indore have hosted sessions conducted by him on topics such as password safety, online impersonation, social-media risks and frauds using video calls. Several regional newspapers and online platforms have described him as one of the officers in Madhya Pradesh who regularly conducts awareness programmes for students and senior citizens.[23][24][5][25]
According to The Wire, he has delivered more than 1,000 cyber security awareness sessions across India, which have been recognised by the World Book of Records, London, for "1000 sessions on cyber awareness as an enforcement officer".[4][5] Reporting on the launch of an AI-based chatbot for Indore Police in 2025 likewise described him as being known across Madhya Pradesh for conducting over 1,000 cyber awareness campaigns.[26][27]
Publications[edit | edit source]
In 2025, he wrote a Hindi-language book titled Cyber Rakshak, published by Mahagatha. The book compiles examples of cyber-crime incidents handled by police and explains common methods used in online frauds in simplified form for general readers. It was launched at the Indore Police Commissioner’s office.[1][28][29]
The book compiles over 30 or 35 real-life cybercrime scenarios, including phishing, fake loan apps, sextortion, digital-arrest scams and social-media hacking, and is written for non-technical readers.[30][31] Reviews and promotional material describe it as aimed at students, homemakers, senior citizens and small business owners, combining checklists and practical tips drawn from his experience in cybercrime investigations and awareness programmes.[1][30]
Honours[edit | edit source]
In June 2025, Dandotiya was honoured by the World Book of Records for his cyber-awareness work after completing what was described as his 1,000th cyber awareness session at Daly College in Indore.[4][5] it was reportedly was presented at a ceremony in Indore attended by state dignitaries.[32][33]
World records[edit | edit source]
- Maximum number of Cyber awareness sessions by World Book of Records, London.[4]
- Cyber awareness sessions of mothers by World Book of Records, London.[34]
- Maximum number of cyber awareness sessions by India Book of Records.[35]
- Largest Session of Drug Awareness by Golden Book of World Records.[36]
- Biggest Human Chain by World Book of records, London.[37]
- Largest E-Shapath by World Book of Records, London.[37]
- Highest Cyber Awareness session by World Wide Book of Records.[37]
- Highest Cyber Awareness session by World Record of Excellence, England.[37]
- Thousand session conducted on cyber awareness Golden Book of World Records.[37]
- Highest Cyber sessions by International Book of Records.[37]
- Highest Cyber sessions World Records of India [22]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Cyber Rakshak by Rajesh Dandotiya". Google Play Books. Mahagatha. May 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Anand Mohan, J. (25 November 2024). "Scammers target Indore Crime Branch chief by mistake, he plays along, video calls them in uniform". The Indian Express. Bhopal. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "MP: ASI dismissed from service after being accused of killing brother in Indore". ANI News. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya Historic Strides in Cyber Awareness, Enters World Book of Records". World Book of Records. World Book of Records, London. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "India's 1st Police Officer Who Has Delivered 1000+ Sessions on Cyber Security – Rajesh Dandotiya". The Wire. PTI. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "वर्दी से डिजिटल जंग तक, कौन हैं राजेश दंडोतिया जिनके नाम से साइबर अपराधी कांपते हैं". News18 Hindi.
- ↑ "Indore Police Commissionerate Launches Its Own AI Chatbot - Rajesh Dandotiya". The Tribune. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Indore Fraud Case: Accused Converted Money In USDT, Sent It To Person In China". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ↑ "MP Police file FIRs against 13 hotel and hostel operators in Indore for failing to share guest details". ANI News. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ↑ "Man arrested in Indore for sexually assaulting transgender after promising marriage". www.ptinews.com. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ↑ "Bigg Boss fame Ajaz Khan booked for promoting enmity through social media video". The Times of India. 11 September 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ↑ "Indore police bust 'digital arrest dark room' in Delhi". The Times of India. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Retired principal narrowly escapes falling victim to digital scam". The Times of India. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Man held for duping software engineer of 1.3L online fraud". The Times of India. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Indore News: Crime Branch Arrests 4th Accused In Online Cheating Of ₹60 Lakh; Three Of His Accomplices Had Been Arrested From Different Places In The Country". The Free Press Journal. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "2 held from Guj for siphoning off 64L from judge's account". The Times of India. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Two absconding members of online betting racket held". The Times of India. 10 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Arms smuggler arrested with 8 pistols & ammunition". The Times of India. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Two peddlers arrested with MD drugs worth Rs1.5 crore". The Times of India. 29 June 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Man arrested with brown sugar worth over Rs1 lakh". The Times of India. 20 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "National-level shooter 'molested' in Pune-bound bus, conductor on run". The New Indian Express. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 "जानिए राजेश दंडोतिया: लिखी गई किताबें और जीते गए वर्ल्ड रिकॉर्ड्स". Lokmat News Hindi (in हिन्दी). 24 December 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
- ↑ "Awareness Programme On Cyber Security facilitated by Mr. Rajesh Dandotiya, IPS, Additional DCP, Crime Branch, Indore". emeraldheights.edu.in. The Emerald Heights International School. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "A seminar on Cyber Security Awareness was conducted by Mr. Rajesh Dandotiya". Facebook. Podar International School, Indore. 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Cyber Fraud aur Digital Arrest kaise bachें, jaane Rajesh Dandotiya". Webdunia Hindi (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 20 November 2025 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Indore ke Cyber Cop Rajesh Dandotiya ne likhi khaas kitab 'Cyber Rakshak'". IBC24 (in हिन्दी). 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Indore Police Commissionerate Launches Its Own AI Chatbot". The Print. ANI. 3 October 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Cyber Rakshak (Paperback, Rajesh Dandotiya)". Flipkart. Mahagatha. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "साइबर अपराधों की रोकथाम एवं जनजागरुकता के लिए बनाई पुस्तक 'Cyber Rakshak' का विमोचन". Commissionerate of Police, Indore (in हिन्दी). 27 May 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Policing the Digital Age: Indore DCP Rajesh Dandotiya Pens 'Cyber Rakshak' to Empower Citizens Against Online Threats". First India. 30 May 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Cybercrime is not just a technical threat, it's a human issue: ADCP Rajesh Dandotiya on his new book Cyber Rakshak". Loktej. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Additional DCP (Crime) Rajesh Dandotiya honoured by World Book of Records". The Wire. PTI. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya Historic Strides in Cyber Awareness, Enters World Book of Records". Alma Times. 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "Indore Police, Madhya Pradesh, India gets included by World Book of Records". World Book of Records. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
- ↑ "MAXIMUM CYBER AWARENESS SESSIONS ORGANIZED BY AN INDIVIDUAL". Retrieved 10 January 2026.
- ↑ "Largest Session on Drugs Awareness Archives". Golden Book Of World Records. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 Digital, Hans India (29 December 2025). "Rajesh Dandotiya: Police Officer and Cyber Safety Leader with 11 World Records". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 10 January 2026.