MUMBAI: The Maharashtra cyber police on Wednesday arrested three men who allegedly provided their bank accounts to cyber fraudsters, enabling a Rs 58 crore “digital arrest” scam targeting a 72-year-old Mumbai stock market investor and his wife.
According to police, the victim received a call on August 19 from the accused, who claimed to be officers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The callers told the couple that illegal funds had been detected in their accounts and they were being placed under “digital arrest.” Fake documents were also shared to appear authentic.
The accused convinced the couple to transfer money to their accounts under the pretext of verifying the funds, promising to return it afterward. Between August 19 and October 8, the couple transferred a total of Rs 58.13 crore via RTGS to accounts provided by the accused.
Investigations revealed that the money flowed into 18 bank accounts across Maharashtra and other states. Following a probe, the cyber police traced and arrested the three mule account holders:
Abdul Khulli, 47, Malad
Arjun Kadwasara, 55, Chira Bazaar
Jetharam Kadwasara, 35, Mumbai Central
The arrested men are being interrogated to uncover the identities of the main masterminds behind the elaborate scam.
