A businessman from Bengaluru has allegedly been defrauded of over Rs 15.45 crore after receiving a call from a man posing as the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation. The caller created a false narrative linking the victim to a criminal investigation, ultimately coercing him into transferring large sums of money.
Impersonation and False Allegations
The victim, identified as Ajit Gopalakrishna Saraf, a resident of Belagavi, was contacted by an individual impersonating K Subramanyam, claiming to be the Director of the CBI. The caller alleged that two SIM cards registered in Saraf’s name were linked to Naresh Goyal, the founder of Jet Airways.
The fraudster further claimed that Goyal had been arrested and that an investigation had revealed Saraf’s involvement in laundering Rs 25 lakh from his Canara Bank account in association with Goyal, allegedly earning a commission.
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Threats and Psychological Pressure
Saraf was reportedly threatened with immediate imprisonment and legal action unless he cooperated. Police said the victim was subjected to sustained psychological pressure, effectively placing him under what is commonly referred to as a “digital arrest”.
Fearing imminent arrest, Saraf complied with the demands and transferred Rs 15.45 crore through Real Time Gross Settlement transactions between February 7 and March 9, 2026.
Investigation Reveals Wider Network
The case came to light after Saraf approached the Cyber Crime Police Station upon realising he had been deceived and filed a complaint. During the investigation, authorities identified at least 10 primary beneficiary bank accounts used in the fraud.
These accounts have been traced across multiple regions, including Hyderabad, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and West Bengal, indicating the involvement of an organised inter-state cybercrime network.
Police officials said efforts are ongoing to trace the accused, freeze the identified accounts, and recover the defrauded amount.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
