In a major breakthrough, the North Cyber Police arrested three individuals, including a private bank employee, for allegedly facilitating cybercrime by opening dozens of fake bank accounts used to launder Rs68 lakh in an online investment scam.
The arrested include Umesh Vishwakarma (32), a bank employee from Kandivli; Sachin Sawant (48), a contractor from Borivli; and Vibhaan Mishra (31), a security guard from Mira Road. The arrests stem from a complaint filed in January by a 37-year-old IT professional from Borivli, who was tricked into investing in a fake share trading platform.
According to police, Vishwakarma used his position in a private bank to open fraudulent current accounts, bypassing verification norms. He reportedly charged Rs25,000 per account and was introduced into the racket by Mishra, who acted as the liaison between the banker and scam operators.
Sawant, originally an electrician, allegedly registered multiple shell companies using the names of his relatives and friends. He rented shops to make the companies appear legitimate and opened bank accounts under their names, which were later sold to cybercriminals across the country.
Senior Police Inspector Suvarna Shinde, under the guidance of PI Sudhakar Humbe and API Savita Kadam, led the investigation. “This is the first time a bank employee has been caught actively helping cyber fraud gangs on this scale,” said an official.
Authorities confirmed that over 40 fake companies and accounts were created. More than 22 employees of other nationalised and multinational banks are now under scrutiny for possible involvement.
All three accused are in police custody until May 16. The investigation is ongoing, with police focusing on tracing the kingpins of the cyber fraud syndicate.
