5 Arrested for Fake I-T Raid in Andheri, ₹1 Crore Demand

A shocking incident of fraud has come to light in Andheri, where five people allegedly posed as Income Tax Department and Crime Branch officials to conduct a fake raid at a company.

The incident took place on July 17 at Two M Ophthotronics Pvt Ltd in Sahar Cargo Estate, Chakala. According to the police, company owner Rajkumar Kandasami was informed by his employees that Income Tax officials had raided his office. He was allegedly threatened over the phone and ordered to reach the premises immediately.

Sub-inspector Rohan Surve said two men in plain clothes approached Kandasami and his wife near their residence, identified themselves as Income Tax officials, showed an identity card and forced the couple into a cab before taking them to the office. The accused allegedly seized the mobile phones of the couple and employees, restricted their movement, questioned the staff and examined company documents.

One accused allegedly produced a purported search warrant and obtained Kandasami’s signature. The fake raid continued for more than three hours. The accused allegedly threatened Kandasami with a substantial penalty and then offered to settle the matter for ₹1 crore. They left the premises around 8pm.

The police analysed call records, mobile numbers, dump data, location information and CCTV footage to trace the suspects. Five accused were arrested from Mumbai, Pune and Nalasopara. They were identified as Santosh Khopatkar, 37, Vinay More, 37, Prem Sabnani, 50, Pragya HM, 27, and Reshma Shyamrao Warang, 41.

The police are searching for fake identity cards, government logos, rubber stamps, letterheads and purported search-warrant documents. The seized mobile phones are being examined for calls, WhatsApp chats and financial transactions to identify the alleged mastermind and other associates.

The police are also investigating whether the group targeted other businessmen. Claims about the involvement of persons connected with the Income Tax Department are being independently verified, and no conclusion has been drawn against them so far.

This incident highlights the need for vigilance and awareness among businessmen and citizens to avoid falling prey to such scams. The Andheri police have shown prompt action in arresting the accused and are working to uncover the larger network behind this fake raid.

The incident has sent shockwaves in the business community, with many expressing concern over the ease with which the accused were able to pose as government officials. The police are urging citizens to be cautious and verify the identity of officials before cooperating with them.

In a city like Mumbai, where business and commerce thrive, such incidents can have a significant impact on the economy and the trust of citizens in the system. The police are working to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future and that those responsible are brought to justice.

The investigation is ongoing, and the police are working to uncover the full extent of the scam. The arrested accused will be produced in court and charged accordingly. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being vigilant and aware of one's surroundings, especially in a city like Mumbai where such scams can be prevalent.

The Andheri police have appealed to citizens to come forward and report any suspicious activity or instances of similar scams. The police are committed to ensuring the safety and security of citizens and are working tirelessly to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

In conclusion, the fake I-T raid in Andheri is a shocking incident that highlights the need for vigilance and awareness among citizens. The prompt action by the Andheri police in arresting the accused is commendable, and the ongoing investigation will hopefully uncover the full extent of the scam and bring those responsible to justice.