Mumbai Cyber Police Arrest 7 in ₹1.67-Crore Fraud Case

Mumbai's West Cyber Police Station has busted a 'digital arrest' cyber fraud racket, arresting seven individuals for allegedly cheating a victim of ₹1.67 crore. The accused posed as police officers, threatening the victim with a fake money-laundering case.

The victim was contacted between April 2 and April 18 through an unknown mobile number and WhatsApp number. The accused sent fake electronic documents bearing the police logo and the name and seal of the Supreme Court, convincing the victim that their Aadhaar card had been misused.

The accused then threatened the victim with 'digital arrest' and claimed that all the victim's bank accounts had to be verified. Under the guise of verification, the accused forced the victim to transfer ₹1,67,40,000 from their bank account into two different bank accounts.

A detailed technical investigation led to the arrest of seven accused, including Sanjay Heralal Shah, who allegedly supplied SIM cards and OTPs to cybercriminals. A 32-year-old female accused helped divert and dispose of ₹50.60 lakh of the fraud proceeds.

The other accused, Rishi Ramchandra Meena, Naushad Ali, Mohammed Khalid Hafizuddin Saifi, Nageshwar Mahto, and Jabir Hussain, played various roles in the fraud, including providing technical assistance, manufacturing and selling SIM cards, and receiving and disposing of the fraud proceeds.

During the investigation, police recovered 27 mobile phones, 2 laptops, 5 digital signature devices, 613 SIM cards, and ₹34 lakh frozen in various bank accounts.

The Cyber Police have warned citizens that the police, CBI, ED, RBI, or any other government agency does not conduct 'digital arrests'. Citizens are advised not to accept video calls from unknown persons and to be cautious of such scams.

The arrest of the seven accused and the recovery of the seized items mark a significant breakthrough in the case. The Mumbai Cyber Police have once again demonstrated their commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting citizens from such fraudulent activities.

The 'digital arrest' racket is a new and sophisticated form of cybercrime, and citizens need to be aware of its dangers. By posing as police officers and using fake documents, the accused were able to convince the victim to transfer a large sum of money.

The Mumbai Cyber Police have urged citizens to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities. With the rise of cybercrime, it is essential for citizens to be aware of the risks and to take necessary precautions to protect themselves.

In conclusion, the busting of the 'digital arrest' racket is a significant achievement for the Mumbai Cyber Police, and it serves as a reminder to citizens to be cautious of such scams. By working together, we can combat cybercrime and create a safer digital environment for everyone.

The case highlights the importance of being aware of the latest cybercrime trends and taking necessary precautions to protect oneself. It also underscores the need for citizens to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

The Mumbai Cyber Police will continue to work tirelessly to combat cybercrime and protect citizens from such fraudulent activities. With the help of citizens, we can create a safer and more secure digital environment for everyone.