PANAJI: The Goa Police Cyber Crime Branch has apprehended a 25-year-old man from Nashik, Maharashtra, for allegedly orchestrating a high-stakes digital fraud worth ₹2.14 crore, executed by impersonating officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The accused, Rohan Jhadav, reportedly contacted the victim via WhatsApp on May 30, claiming the victim was linked to an ongoing money laundering probe involving businessman Naresh Goyal. He further accused the victim of fraudulent SIM card usage connected to their Aadhaar number.
Using intimidation tactics and the fabricated threat of a “digital arrest,” Jhadav convinced the victim to transfer large sums of money in a bid to “avoid arrest and legal proceedings.”
Victim Coerced Through Fear of Arrest, Surveillance Uncovers Fraud Trail
The elaborate scam began with a WhatsApp message, followed by phone calls in which Jhadav pretended to be an investigator. He manipulated the victim into believing they were under government scrutiny, claiming evidence tied to multiple SIM cards and alleged financial wrongdoing.
Under psychological pressure, the victim complied and transferred ₹2.14 crore over several transactions. Realising the deception later, the victim filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Branch in Goa.
Arrest Follows Technical Surveillance; Syndicate Links Suspected
A Goa Police team led by PI Deepak Pednekar, supervised by SP Rahul Gupta and ASP Akshat Ayush, used advanced surveillance and digital tracking techniques to trace the financial trail. Jhadav was arrested in Nashik and is being questioned for possible links to a broader cybercrime syndicate.
Authorities believe the operation is part of a pan-India fraud network using similar tactics to extort money under the guise of legal intimidation.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
Police have issued a public advisory, urging citizens not to share personal or financial information over unsolicited calls or messages, even if the caller claims to be from a government agency. In case of suspicious contact, individuals are encouraged to report immediately via 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.