Cybercrime – Mumbai Police Arrest Man in ₹2.44 Crore Digital Scam Case
Cybercrime – A significant cyber fraud case has come to light in Mumbai, where authorities have arrested a man accused of helping scammers cheat a senior citizen of over ₹2.44 crore through a deceptive “digital arrest” scheme.
The North Regional Cyber Cell recently took into custody Hemant Sitaram Sawant, who is alleged to have played a key role in enabling the fraud. Investigators say he provided access to his bank account, allowing cyber criminals to receive and transfer large sums of money obtained through illegal means.
How the Fraud Was Carried Out
According to police officials, the victim, a 74-year-old retired employee of the Mumbai Port Trust residing in Dahisar, was targeted in early January. He received a phone call from a person claiming to be a telecom regulatory official named Vijay Khanna. The caller informed him that a SIM card had been issued in his name and was being misused for illegal activities.
The caller warned the victim that failure to report the issue to authorities at Bandra Kurla Complex could lead to disconnection of his services. Shortly afterward, the call was escalated to another individual via video, who introduced himself as an officer from a central investigative agency.
False Accusations and Psychological Pressure
During the interaction, the fraudsters accused the elderly man of being linked to a money laundering case. They claimed that a bank account had been opened in his name and used to transfer ₹25 lakh connected to a high-profile financial case. Despite the victim repeatedly denying any involvement, the callers continued to exert pressure.
The scammers used fear tactics, including the threat of a “digital arrest,” to manipulate the victim into cooperating. They also collected sensitive financial details, including information about his savings and fixed deposits.
Misuse of Legal Claims to Gain Trust
To make their scheme appear legitimate, the fraudsters told the victim that, as per directions from the Supreme Court, he needed to transfer his funds into a designated account for verification. They assured him that the money would be returned after the inquiry was completed.
Fearing legal trouble, the victim liquidated his fixed deposits and transferred a total of ₹2,44,85,948 to the account provided. He was promised that the verification process would take only a few days.
Discovery of the Fraud
When no updates were received and the money was not returned even after a week, the victim realized he had been deceived. He then contacted the cyber helpline and filed a formal complaint with the North Cyber Cell.
Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. A detailed investigation was launched to trace the flow of funds and identify those involved.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
During the investigation, authorities tracked a portion of the defrauded money to a bank account linked to a resident of Kalyan. This led to the detention and questioning of Hemant Sawant.
Police stated that during interrogation, Sawant admitted to allowing cyber criminals to use his bank account. He also confessed that he transferred the received funds to other accounts as instructed and earned a commission for his role in the operation.
Following his confession, Sawant was formally arrested. Officials are now examining whether his account was used in other fraud cases as well.
Efforts to Track the Larger Network
Investigators are continuing their efforts to identify additional members of the cyber fraud network and uncover the full extent of the operation. Financial transactions linked to the case are being closely examined to trace the movement of funds.
Authorities have once again urged citizens, especially senior individuals, to remain cautious when receiving unsolicited calls involving legal threats or financial demands.