CyberFraud – Two Held for Multi-Crore Scam Targeting Retired Doctor
CyberFraud – The Western Region Cyber Cell has taken two individuals into custody for allegedly duping a 74-year-old retired medical officer from Powai of ₹4.62 crore by posing as law enforcement and government officials. Authorities stated that the accused intimidated the victim with threats of arrest linked to fabricated money laundering allegations. A court has granted police custody of the suspects to allow further investigation into the suspected network behind the scam.
Arrests Linked to Fraudulent Banking Channels
Police identified the arrested men as Narendra S. Sinha and Gunjan Devkumar Dineshchandra. According to investigators, the duo allegedly allowed cyber criminals to use bank accounts registered in their names to route illegal transactions. Officials revealed that the money obtained from the victim was deposited into these accounts before being withdrawn and transferred further within the fraudulent network. Authorities believe more individuals may be involved and have initiated efforts to trace additional suspects.
Victim Contacted Through Fake Official Communication
The complainant, who lives in Powai with her husband while her daughter studies in Bengaluru, received a video call on October 11, 2026, from a person claiming to represent the telecom department. The caller falsely informed her that a case involving mental and physical harassment had been filed in her name and warned that she could face immediate legal action. Investigators said the call appeared designed to create fear and force quick compliance.
Impersonation of Senior Law Enforcement Officer
Soon after the initial call, another individual allegedly contacted the woman, introducing himself as an IPS officer from the Delhi Police. The caller claimed her Aadhaar details had been misused to open a private bank account that was reportedly linked to transactions totaling ₹6 crore. He further asserted that the transactions were under investigation for money laundering and that a case had been registered by a central investigative agency.
Despite the victim repeatedly stating she had no knowledge of such an account, the caller insisted that her name had surfaced during questioning of another accused individual. The fraudster reportedly instructed her to maintain secrecy and warned that failure to cooperate could lead to arrest and legal proceedings.
Victim Pressured Into Transferring Savings
Under severe pressure and fearing legal consequences, the victim refrained from informing family members or authorities. Investigators said the fraudster persuaded her to share details of her bank holdings and investments. Over several weeks, she was allegedly convinced to prematurely liquidate fixed deposits and recurring deposits.
Between October 2025 and January 2026, the woman transferred ₹4.62 crore into multiple accounts provided by the callers. She was assured that the funds were required for verification and would be returned after audit clearance. However, communication from the fraudsters abruptly stopped, raising suspicion.
Discovery of Fraud and Police Complaint
After failing to recover her money, the woman reportedly searched online for the officer’s identity and discovered no such individual was associated with relevant law enforcement units. Realizing she had been deceived, she approached the Powai police and lodged an official complaint.
Authorities registered a case involving impersonation, cheating, and violations under the Information Technology Act. The matter was later transferred to the Western Region Cyber Cell for specialized investigation.
Investigation Reveals Organized Scam Network
During the probe, officers tracked the financial trail and identified the bank accounts used to receive the funds. Investigators concluded that the arrested individuals had allegedly opened several accounts to facilitate transactions for cyber fraud groups. Police stated that the suspects reportedly withdrew money deposited into these accounts and handed it over to other members of the network in exchange for commission payments.
Officials confirmed that further investigation is underway to uncover the larger cyber fraud operation and identify additional accomplices linked to the crime.