Mumbai Police have arrested six people for allegedly helping launder more than ₹10.40 crore siphoned from an INOX Group executive through a WhatsApp impersonation scam. Investigators said the accused allowed their bank accounts to be used for receiving the fraud proceeds in exchange for commissions and allegedly handed over cheque books and debit cards to the mastermind to facilitate withdrawals.
WhatsApp Impersonation Triggered Multi-Crore Transfers
According to police, the case was registered after Girish Amin, Deputy General Manager (Accounts) with the INOX Group, filed a complaint. On June 3, Amin allegedly received a WhatsApp message from a mobile number claiming to belong to a senior director of the company.
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The sender reportedly used the director’s display picture to strengthen the impersonation. After initially stating that he was entering a meeting and would call later, the fraudster allegedly instructed Amin to transfer ₹46.5 lakh to a bank account whose details were subsequently shared.
Police said Amin continued receiving similar WhatsApp instructions between June 3 and June 15 and transferred company funds to multiple bank accounts identified by the sender.
Money Routed Through Multiple Accounts
Investigators said a total of 63 transactions amounting to ₹10,40,71,924 were carried out from the company’s accounts. The fraud allegedly came to light after Amin contacted the actual company director to seek invoices for the transferred funds, only to learn that no such payment instructions had been issued.
Police identified the arrested accused as Dnyaneshwar Thoke, Birendra Kumar Bhagat, Ranjan Kumar Kharwar, Vikas Bind, Vansh Menocha and Faizay Shabbir Hussain Alam.
According to investigators, the six accused permitted the fraud proceeds to be transferred into their bank accounts for a commission and provided cheque books and debit cards to the person behind the fraud.
Gold Purchases Allegedly Used to Launder Funds
Police alleged that the mastermind employed a strategy to launder the stolen money by directing the accused to obtain loans and purchase gold. The loans were allegedly repaid using the proceeds of the fraud, after which the gold bullion was handed over to the main accused.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Bajrang Bansode urged the public to verify financial instructions received through WhatsApp display pictures or fake share market applications. He also advised people not to panic if contacted by individuals posing as police officers and threatening them with a “digital arrest,” and to report suspected cyber fraud immediately through the nearest police station, the 1930 helpline, or the official cybercrime portal.
