In a significant crackdown on online fraud, Mumbai police arrested a group of 10 individuals from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Delhi. The group is accused of being involved in multiple cases of cyber crime, resulting in cumulative losses of around Rs1.47 crore for victims. All arrested have been remanded into police custody, with further investigations underway.
The fraud scheme lured victims into investing in share markets through a fraudulent fintech company. The money was then allegedly laundered through hawala channels and a network of fake bank accounts, according to reports.
Among those arrested are Jayesh Unni (34), Arbaz Samir Khan (26), and Shailesh Purshottamdas Patel (53) from Navi Mumbai, Ajay Kumar Sukhdev Karche (51) from Malad, Amit Ram Singh (43) from Delhi, Hitesh Surat Singh (29) from Haryana, and Nitin Chendwankar (47), Rajesh Sonawane (51), and Uday Salvi (47) from Mumbai.
Maharashtra has seen a sharp rise in cyber crime, particularly in Navi Mumbai, which recorded a 90% increase in online fraud cases in 2023. In response to this alarming trend, the government recently launched the Maha Cyber Security Command Center in Mhape, Navi Mumbai, India’s first state-level cyber crime command and control center. This initiative aims to enhance digital security, with plans to train 5,000 police personnel annually.
A dedicated helpline, 14407, was established for reporting cyber crimes and is set to operate at full capacity starting October 15.
In another incident, a 67-year-old retired man from Navi Mumbai lost Rs4.54 lakh to a scammer posing as a bank employee while he was searching for his bank’s helpline number online. The Panvel city police have filed a complaint against the unknown perpetrator for fraud and violations of the IT Act.