10 August,2026 07:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The victim was threatened with arrest and placed under what the accused described as a `digital arrest`. Pic/Mumbai Police
Mumbai Cyber Police's West Division have arrested seven people for their alleged involvement in a large-scale 'digital arrest' scam in which a victim was allegedly cheated of Rs 1.67 crore, officials said on Monday.
The accused allegedly posed as senior law enforcement officials and threatened the victim with arrest in a fake money laundering case. Police said they used forged documents and official-looking seals to make the fraud appear genuine.
According to police, the fraud took place between April 2 and April 18, 2026.
The accused allegedly contacted the victim through WhatsApp and phone calls, claiming that the person's Aadhaar details had been misused in a money laundering case.
To make the allegations appear legitimate, the fraudsters allegedly sent electronic documents carrying fake Supreme Court seals and police logos.
The victim was then threatened with arrest and placed under what the accused described as a 'digital arrest'.
Police said the accused told the victim that the bank accounts needed to be verified as part of the investigation.
Under pressure and threats, the victim allegedly transferred Rs 1,67,40,000 to two separate bank accounts.
A subsequent technical investigation helped cyber police identify and track the alleged members of the network.
Police arrested seven suspects from different locations in connection with the case.
According to the investigation:
- Sanjay Hiralal Shah, 58, allegedly supplied SIM cards and OTPs used in the operation.
- A 32-year-old woman allegedly handled around Rs 50.6 lakh of the defrauded money.
- Rishi Ramchandra Meena, 38, allegedly provided technical assistance in managing the stolen funds.
- Naushad Ali Dilshad Ali, 31, allegedly forged documents used to obtain and sell fake SIM cards.
- Mohammed Khalid Hafizuddin Saifi, 27, allegedly managed technical equipment used to route scam calls.
- Jageshwar Mahto, 43, and Jabir Hussain, 46, allegedly received around Rs 1.17 crore in their bank accounts and helped move the money with other accomplices.
The allegations against the accused are part of the ongoing investigation.
During the operation, police seized 27 mobile phones, two laptops, five digital signature devices, 613 SIM cards, 10 chequebooks, two passbooks and two ATM cards.
Authorities also froze around Rs 3.4 crore in various bank accounts allegedly linked to the network.
The accused were produced before a court and remanded to police custody.
Mumbai Police have warned citizens that there is no legal provision for a 'digital arrest'.
Police said government agencies such as the police, Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and Reserve Bank of India do not carry out arrests through video calls.
Citizens have been advised not to accept video calls from unknown people claiming to be law enforcement officials.
Police have also warned people never to transfer money for 'verification' purposes or hand over cash because of threats of arrest.
Anyone targeted by such a fraud should immediately approach the police and report the incident through the official cybercrime reporting system.
Police have urged citizens to remain alert, particularly when unknown callers threaten them with arrest, financial penalties or legal action.
