Police said the victim was told that his mobile number and identity documents had been used in an alleged Rs 238 crore money laundering case. The accused allegedly sent him a fake Supreme Court notice to create fear of arrest and kept him under surveillance through video calls for nearly two weeks. Among those arrested are an operations manager at a private bank and a web developer educated at IIT Delhi.
According to police, WhatsApp video calls were made to the 68-year-old victim between July 30 and August 12, 2026. Initially, one of the accused allegedly identified himself as a Department of Telecommunications official. The victim was told that his mobile number and Aadhaar card had been misused and that a case had been registered against him. The call was then allegedly connected to a fake police officer.
During the video calls, the accused allegedly used a police logo and uniform to convince the victim that he was part of a genuine investigation. He was instructed to remain on video calls and provide his location from time to time. Police said the accused also threatened to arrest other members of his family if he informed them about the matter.
The accused allegedly obtained details about the victim’s financial position and bank accounts. He was then allegedly forced to transfer money from his accounts and fixed deposits into different bank accounts. According to police, a total of around Rs 1,12,26,000 was transferred in this manner.
During the investigation, police traced the money transactions and found that a substantial portion of the defrauded amount had reached the bank account of a gold trading company. The investigation into mobile numbers and SIM cards linked to the company led police to the arrested accused. Police are now investigating which accounts received the money and where it was subsequently withdrawn or transferred.
Mumbai Cyber Police have arrested six people in connection with the case. According to police, the accused are Rajeshkumar Mohanlal Jain, Mohammed Tariq Anwar Momin, Shikhar Mukesh Tyagi, Gaurav Mahesh Goyal, Ajaykumar Kali Prasad Sharma and Chintankumar Sureshbhai Desai. Their alleged roles included arranging bank accounts, providing SIM cards, transferring money and withdrawing the proceeds at different stages.
Police said Gaurav Mahesh Goyal, one of the arrested accused, studied at IIT Delhi and works as a web developer. Shikhar Mukesh Tyagi is reported to be employed as an operations manager at a private bank. Police are investigating whether the accused were involved only in this case or whether they were connected to a larger cybercrime network operating through them.
According to police, accused Chintan Desai travelled from Mumbai to Delhi and then to Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh. Investigators allege that attempts were made there, with the help of associates, to transfer and withdraw the proceeds of the fraud. Police are now investigating the entire money trail.
Police recovered 20 mobile phones, two laptops, documents linked to 25 bank accounts, ATM cards, passbooks and Aadhaar cards from the accused. Investigating agencies are examining the electronic devices and bank accounts to identify other people who may be connected to the alleged cyber fraud network.
The elderly victim reportedly remained under pressure from the accused for nearly two weeks. The case came to light after his daughter learned about the incident, following which the family contacted the cybercrime helpline. A case was subsequently registered at the North Cyber Police Station.
Under the supervision of DCP Cyber Bajrang Bansode, the police team began examining the bank accounts and money transactions. Mumbai Police have once again appealed to people to remain alert against cyber fraud carried out in the name of ‘digital arrest’.
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