The project focuses on a neurologist who falls prey to a complex digital scam. Combining detailed reporting with strong visual storytelling, the piece explains how cyber fraud networks function across South Asia. The Pulitzer Board cited the work’s editorial depth, clarity and public service value in addressing a growing global issue.
“trAPPed” stands out for its format as it uses both illustrations and reporting to explain how digital scams can trap individuals through surveillance and manipulation. The story highlights what has been described as a “digital arrest,” where victims are psychologically controlled through their devices.
According to the official website of Pulitzer, Mumbai-based Anand RK created the illustrations for the project. He is known for his graphic storytelling and had earlier won the Eisner Award in 2021 for his graphic novel Blue in Green.
The reporting was led by Suparna Sharma, an experienced investigative journalist who has worked extensively on stories related to corruption, elder care and workplace misconduct in India.
Natalie Obiko Pearson, a senior investigative reporter for Bloomberg based in Tokyo, brings over two decades of international reporting experience. She has covered major global developments, including political shifts in India and Latin America, as well as energy markets. In 2024, she was a Pulitzer finalist for investigative reporting for a series on global firearms exports.
The 2026 awards also highlighted the growing role of independent journalists. Photographer Saher Alghorra won in the Breaking News Photography category for work from Gaza. Yael Grauer was part of a team from the Associated Press that received the International Reporting award.
Among major US newsrooms, The Washington Post won the Public Service award for reporting on federal policy changes, while The New York Times received the Investigative Reporting prize for coverage of conflicts within the executive branch.
