Mumbai businessman duped of Rs 3.25 crore; threatened at gunpoint

Representational image. File pic

A nine-member interstate gang has allegedly duped a Mumbai-based businessman of Rs 3.25 crore with promises of high investment returns. The police officials, while briefing about the case, also asserted that the victim was also assaulted and threatened by multiple accused.

An official from the Vile Parle station, while briefing about the accused persons, said, "Nine accused, two of them are women, residents of Mumbai, Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand."

As reported by news agency PTI, the complainant runs a private enterprise that came into contact in July 2025 with four of the accused, who introduced themselves as brokers. The accused convinced him to invest in a company named Arkship Group, promising lucrative returns.

Accused persons threatened the victims at gunpoint and demanded Rs 3 crore as ransom

Falling prey to their claims, the businessman transferred Rs 1 crore online. However, he later found the amount had been diverted to the account of an NGO named 'Manav Dharmayog'.

When the victim questioned the accused, he was called for a meeting at a hotel near the Western Express Highway in Vile Parle, along with his company's general manager. At the hotel, the gang members allegedly assaulted the duo and threatened them at gunpoint.

The official further said, "The gang then demanded Rs 3 crore as ransom, threatening to kill the businessman if he failed to pay. Fearing for his life, he transferred approximately Rs 2.25 crore online to bank accounts provided by the accused," as cited by PTI.

Case transferred to Mumbai Crime Branch

After receiving the money, the accused released him but warned him of dire consequences if he approached the police. However, on the advice of his family members and friends, the victim later approached the police and lodged a complaint.

After verifying the complaint, police recently registered an FIR against the nine accused on various charges, including cheating, criminal breach of trust, extortion, causing grievous hurt, and issuing death threats.

The case has been handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch for further investigation. Preliminary findings suggest the accused are part of a larger interstate network, the official added.

(With inputs from PTI)