Mumbai digital arrest fraud: North cyber police arrest key handler Asad Shaikh in Kandivli yoga teacher scam

Asad Shaikh, the key accused arrested. Pic/By Special Arrangement

In a follow-up to the ‘digital arrest fraud' involving a 66-year-old yoga teacher from Kandivli West, the North cyber police have arrested Asad Shaikh, 30, Goregaon East, believed to be the last operational link of the racket within India.

Shaikh, arrested last week, allegedly functioned as a "handler" for a cyber fraud gang. Police said, "beyond his level, the money trail and command structure extend overseas, making his arrest crucial". Efforts are underway to trace the gang's international connections.

Export-Import front

Investigations revealed that Shaikh claimed to run an export-import business. However, police suspect that since 2020, he has been working with cyber fraud syndicates, allegedly supplying operational infrastructure to facilitate cheating cases across India. Several bank accounts linked to him are now under scrutiny to determine the total siphoned amount and identify other victims.

Kandivli case- February 2026

>> 66-year-old yoga teacher targeted
>> Conmen posed as law enforcement officials
>> Fake money laundering case cited
>> Shown fabricated arrest warrants,"account freeze" notices
>> Kept on prolonged WhatsApp video calls
>> Rs 10.35 lakh transferred via RTGS
>> Around Rs 5 lakh was routed to a registered import-export firm account