According to officials, the fraud came to light after the victim lodged a complaint with the cyber police. The complainant told investigators that he began receiving calls from unidentified individuals in November 2025
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A 77-year-old senior citizen from Goregaon was allegedly duped of more than Rs 2.25 crore by cyber fraudsters who threatened him with arrest in a fake terrorism-related investigation. Mumbai Police have arrested a suspect from Gujarat for his alleged role in the case, officials said on Friday, reported news agency PTI.
The accused, identified as Kishan Bhaveshbhai Makwana, is believed to have assisted the cyber fraudsters by opening bank accounts that were used to park funds obtained from victims of online scams. Police said the arrest was made following technical analysis during the investigation into the case.
Fraudsters posed as police and anti-terror officials
According to officials, the fraud came to light after the victim lodged a complaint with the cyber police. The complainant told investigators that he began receiving calls from unidentified individuals in November 2025.
The caller, who introduced himself as Akash Sharma, allegedly claimed to be a senior officer from the Mumbai Police headquarters. He told the elderly man that a bank account had been opened in Jammu and Kashmir in his name and that the account had been used to transfer funds to suspected terrorists, reported PTI.
The fraudster further alleged that the victim had received Rs 70 lakh as commission through the account and that he needed to appear before authorities for questioning.
Fake investigation used to intimidate victim
When the senior citizen informed the caller that he was unable to travel for questioning, the call was allegedly transferred to another person who claimed to be an officer from the Lucknow Anti-Terrorism Squad.
During the conversation, the fraudsters told the victim that his Aadhaar card details had been misused to open a bank account in Jammu and Kashmir, through which funds linked to terrorism had been routed, reported PTI.
To make the story appear credible, the victim later received a WhatsApp message containing an official-looking notice that allegedly carried the signature of then National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief Sadanand Date.
The message warned that failure to cooperate with the investigation could result in 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
Victim transferred money fearing arrest
Police said the message also included copies of a fake arrest warrant and seizure order, further intensifying the victim’s fear.
The fraudsters allegedly instructed the senior citizen to share details of his bank accounts and told him that transferring funds would help clear his name in the case, reported PTI.
Fearing arrest and legal trouble, the victim transferred more than Rs 2.25 crore in multiple transactions between November 18 and December 3, 2025, to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters, reported PTI.
After the money was transferred, the accused allegedly informed the victim that his bail had been approved and no arrest would be made, assuring him that the amount would be returned soon.
Gujarat suspect arrested during investigation
Realising that he had been cheated, the victim later approached the North Regional Cyber Division of Mumbai Police and filed a complaint.
During the investigation, police conducted technical analysis and traced the financial trail to accounts allegedly opened by Makwana in Gujarat.
The accused was apprehended earlier this week after investigators confirmed his involvement during questioning.
Police officials said Makwana had allegedly opened bank accounts on behalf of cyber criminals to facilitate the movement and storage of funds obtained through fraudulent activities, reported PTI.
Authorities are continuing the investigation to identify and arrest other members of the cyber fraud network involved in the case.
(With inputs from PTI)
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