Mumbai Police exposed an international cyber fraud racket that duped citizens of Rs 200 crore using matrimonial and social media sites
Mumbai Police Expose International Cyber Fraud Racket
The Crime Detection Branch (CDB), Cell-4, of Mumbai Police has uncovered an international cyber fraud racket. This scam duped citizens across India of over Rs 200 crore. The gang used matrimonial websites and social media platforms to lure victims. Seven people have been arrested in connection with this case.
How the Scam Worked
The gang allegedly contacted victims through matrimonial portals and social networking sites. They gained the victims’ trust before enticing them into fake online forex and gold-trading schemes. These schemes promised unusually high returns.
Investigation Details
The case came to light after police received confidential inputs. Officers quickly raided Shivsai Residency Lodging and Boarding on Ahmedabad Highway in Vasai, near Mumbai. The case was initially registered at Naigaon Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
Transfer of Investigation
Due to the scale and interstate connections of the scam, Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar Police Commissioner Nikat Kaushik transferred the investigation to CDB (Cell-4).
Victim Experience
Investigations revealed that the accused gained victims’ trust through matrimonial and social media sites. They then promised massive profits from forex and gold trading. Victims were redirected to fake trading websites and asked to deposit money into multiple bank accounts controlled by the gang.
Early “profits” were shown to build confidence. After this, victims were persuaded to invest larger sums, often losing their life savings.
Identified Suspects
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
| Name |
|---|
| Roshan Kumar Sitharama Shetty |
| Sabir Mohammad Khan |
| Sanad Sanjeev Das |
| Rahul Kumar alias Kailash Rakesh Kumar |
| Aamir Karam Sherkhan |
| Abhishek Anil Narkar alias Gopal |
| Mohammad Rashid Fakir Mohammad Baloch alias Lucky |
Wider Impact
Police investigations have linked the gang to 51 cyber fraud cases across various locations. These include Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Telangana, Karnataka, West Bengal, Goa, and Chandigarh. The offences invoke serious charges under the BNS and Sections 66(c) and 66(d) of the Information Technology Act.
Current Status
Investigators confirmed that the racket was operated from outside India. The gang used mule bank accounts, encrypted communication platforms, and fake digital identities to evade detection. A senior crime branch officer stated, “All the arrested accused are currently in judicial custody. Further investigation is underway to identify additional suspects, trace money trails, and coordinate with international agencies.”
