Mumbai Police Recovers ₹1.83 Crore In WhatsApp Scam

The Mumbai Police's Cyber Helpline 1930 and the South Division Cyber Police Station have successfully recovered ₹1,83,03,492, which is nearly 92% of the defrauded amount, in a major cyber fraud case involving the impersonation of a company's director on WhatsApp.

On August 6, 2026, the complainant, who works as the General Manager (Accounts) of a private company, received a WhatsApp message from a mobile number displaying the photograph and name of the company's director. The sender claimed it was the director's new personal number and instructed the complainant to urgently transfer ₹1.98 crore to a specified bank account.

Believing the message to be genuine, the complainant immediately transferred ₹1,98,00,000 from the company's bank account to the account provided. However, after informing the director on his original mobile number about the transfer, it was discovered that the WhatsApp message was fraudulent and that cyber fraudsters had impersonated the director.

The complainant immediately approached the South Division Cyber Police Station and contacted the Mumbai Police Cyber Helpline 1930 to register a complaint. Acting swiftly, the Cyber Helpline team coordinated with the concerned agencies and banks, successfully freezing and recovering ₹1,83,03,492.

The successful operation was carried out under the supervision of Senior Police Inspector Nandkumar Gopale, with the efforts of Assistant Police Inspector Ishan Kharote, Cyber Helpline 1930 Cell Officer Assistant Police Inspector Poonam Jadhav, Police Head Constable Kiran Patil, and Woman Police Constable Sarika Shegar of the South Division Cyber Police Station.

The Mumbai Police have urged citizens and corporate employees to remain vigilant against impersonation scams and issued precautions to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a senior company official before responding to requests received through WhatsApp or other social media platforms.

Citizens are advised not to transfer money based solely on messages claiming that a senior executive has changed their mobile number or urgently requires funds for a new project or any other purpose. They should confirm such requests directly through a trusted communication channel and verify unknown mobile numbers, even if they display the profile photo or name of a senior official, before acting on any financial instructions.

In case of any cyber fraud, citizens are advised to immediately contact the Cyber Helpline 1930 or report the matter to the nearest police station without delay. Citizens can also report cyber crimes online through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

This incident highlights the importance of being cautious when receiving messages or requests from unknown sources, even if they appear to be from a trusted individual. It also showcases the efficiency and effectiveness of the Mumbai Police's Cyber Helpline 1930 in preventing and recovering losses due to cyber fraud.

The recovery of nearly 92% of the defrauded amount is a significant achievement and demonstrates the commitment of the Mumbai Police to protecting citizens from cyber crimes. It is essential for citizens to be aware of the risks associated with cyber fraud and to take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents.

In conclusion, the Mumbai Police's efforts in recovering the defrauded amount and preventing further losses are commendable. Citizens must remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent cyber fraud, and the Mumbai Police will continue to work towards protecting citizens from such crimes.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of cyber safety and the need for citizens to be cautious when using social media platforms and receiving messages or requests from unknown sources. By being aware of the risks and taking necessary precautions, citizens can protect themselves from cyber fraud and help prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

The Mumbai Police's Cyber Helpline 1930 is a valuable resource for citizens to report cyber crimes and seek assistance. The helpline has been instrumental in preventing and recovering losses due to cyber fraud, and citizens are advised to use it in case of any suspicious activity.

Overall, the recovery of nearly 92% of the defrauded amount in this incident is a significant achievement, and it highlights the importance of being cautious when using social media platforms and receiving messages or requests from unknown sources. Citizens must remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent cyber fraud, and the Mumbai Police will continue to work towards protecting citizens from such crimes.