Pune City Cyber Police have successfully cracked a cyber fraud case involving Rs 55 lakh defrauded from a well-known company. Umer Hameed Shaikh and Aakash alias Sonya Preet were arrested in Solapur for manipulating the company’s Google Sheets system to divert funds into their own accounts.
The fraudulent activity took place between December 21, 2024, and January 2, 2025, when a fraudster posing as a vendor altered the bank account information in the company’s payment system. As a result, the company’s finance department inadvertently transferred Rs 55,54,999 to the wrong account. The fraud was discovered by the company’s finance manager, who filed a complaint on January 6, 2025, leading to an intensive investigation.
The investigation, led by Senior Police Inspector Swapnali Shinde, traced the fraud to Solapur, where the suspects were apprehended following multiple raids. The crime was carried out by manipulating the company’s Google Sheets system, and the police are now on the lookout for the prime accused, Manjunath Bhimde, who remains at large.
Under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner of Police Vivek Masal (Sr.), Finance & Cyber, Pune City, a major operation was successfully conducted by a dedicated team of officers. The operation was spearheaded by Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar and Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma, with support from Additional Commissioner of Police Shailesh Balakwade (Crime).
Key contributors to the operation included Police Inspector Swapnali Shinde from the Cyber Police Station, along with Police Sub-Inspector Sandeep Kadam, Sandeep Pawar, Dinesh Markad, and Nagtilak. Their coordinated efforts have significantly enhanced the safety and security of Pune City.