Mumbai Cyber Police arrested six men from Rajasthan for their involvement in a ‘digital arrest’ scam that duped a Kandivali resident of ₹32 lakh. The scammers posed as government officials, employing sophisticated tactics, including the use of cryptocurrency and fake legal documents, to defraud the victim.
Scam Details
The victim, a Kandivali resident, was contacted by someone impersonating a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) employee, claiming he was involved in a money laundering case. The call was transferred to a supposed “DCP Sharma,” who instructed the victim to join a WhatsApp video call. Over the next few days, a fake “CBI officer” provided a fraudulent case number linked to an arrest warrant and an RBI notice through a phishing link.
The convincing documents, including one with a “Supreme Court of India” letterhead, coerced the victim into transferring ₹32 lakh across 15 bank accounts. The scammers manipulated the victim into compliance by forbidding external consultation.
Arrest and Recovery
A team led by DCP Datta Nalawade and senior inspector Suverna Shinde tracked the culprits to a South Mumbai hotel. The accused operated through multiple bank accounts opened by recruiting impoverished individuals, converting stolen money into cryptocurrency, and transferring it abroad.
Seized Items:
- 10 cell phones
- 17 SIM cards
- ₹3.5 lakh cash
- 15 debit cards
- 16 cheque books
The accused, identified as Gangavishan Maanju (32), Vikas Bishnoi (21), Premsukh Bishnoi (19), Ramvilas Bishnoi (32), Sunil Bishnoi (24), and Ajay Kumar Bishnoi (21), are believed to have used these accounts in at least 10 similar cybercrimes across India.
Police Action
The investigation revealed that the defrauded amount was split among 15 bank accounts, all operated by the scammers. Efforts are underway to trace the masterminds behind the overseas operations.
Authorities urged citizens to remain cautious of unsolicited calls demanding sensitive information or money transfers under the guise of legal or governmental procedures.
This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
