Mumbai: A man has been arrested by the Pune Crime Branch’s Anti-Extortion Squad for allegedly exploiting the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) to freeze bank accounts of unsuspecting individuals and then extort money from them in exchange for restoring access. Investigators believe the accused may have targeted multiple account holders by abusing the cyber fraud reporting mechanism, prompting a broader probe into the suspected racket.
According to police, the accused, identified as Pravin Kothari, allegedly transferred small amounts of money into victims’ bank accounts and subsequently lodged false cyber fraud complaints through the 1930 helpline. Once the complaints were registered, the affected bank accounts were reportedly frozen as part of standard precautionary procedures. The accused then allegedly contacted the account holders, offering to “resolve” the issue in return for large cash payments.
The investigation began after a 42-year-old businessman from Rajkot, Gujarat, approached the police. The complainant stated that on March 9, 2026, two transactions of ₹1,000 and ₹2,000 were credited to his Bank of Baroda account from accounts allegedly linked to Pravin Kothari and Pushpa Kothari in Pune. Since he did not know either individual, he initially ignored the deposits. However, he later discovered that his bank account had been frozen, disrupting his banking operations.
When the businessman attempted to contact the sender of the money, he reportedly received no response. Some time later, he was contacted through a WhatsApp call from another mobile number. During subsequent conversations, he was allegedly informed that his account had been frozen due to a cyber fraud complaint and that money would have to be paid to have it unfrozen.
According to the complaint, the businessman travelled to Pune on June 12 to meet the accused. During the meeting, the accused allegedly displayed an identity card identifying himself as a “Police Friend” and demanded ₹5 lakh to resolve the matter. After consulting his lawyer, the complainant approached the police and formally lodged a complaint on July 13. He also alleged that the accused later reduced the demand to ₹4.25 lakh while continuing to pressure him for payment.
Police said the complainant handed over WhatsApp chat records and audio recordings that have become important pieces of evidence in the investigation. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Anti-Extortion Squad launched an investigation before arresting Pravin Kothari on Thursday.
During the investigation, another serious allegation surfaced. Police said the accused allegedly introduced himself as an officer of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) posted in Pune. He reportedly claimed that he had transferred money into several people’s bank accounts before getting those accounts frozen through cyber fraud complaints. He also allegedly told the complainant that someone else was prepared to pay ₹10 lakh to have a frozen account restored after rejecting the complainant’s offer of ₹50,000.
Investigators are now examining the alleged misuse of the 1930 National Cyber Crime Helpline, the bank accounts involved in the transactions, digital evidence, and the authenticity of the accused’s identity claims. They are also trying to determine whether other victims across different states were targeted using the same method.
Prof. Triveni Singh, renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer, said cyber fraud reporting systems are designed to protect victims and rapidly block stolen funds, but any attempt to misuse such mechanisms for extortion is a serious criminal offence. He said such incidents highlight the need for stronger verification processes, close coordination between banks and law enforcement agencies, and swift action against those who abuse public safety systems for financial gain.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
