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Mumbai Cyber Police have arrested a company director in connection with a ₹1.10 crore digital arrest fraud involving a 79-year-old retired employee from Andheri. The victim was allegedly threatened with the arrest of his family and forced to transfer money after fraudsters falsely accused him of involvement in a ₹15 crore money laundering racket.
The arrested accused, Vrushabnath Dhanpal Tardale, a Karnataka native and director of Vrushika Agri & Dairytech Private Limited, allegedly operated a company bank account that received ₹71 lakh of the defrauded amount. The North Region Cyber Police traced the account during their investigation, leading to his arrest.
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Fraudsters Posed as Police, Threatened Victim With Arrest
The victim, Harivandan Dahyabhai Taylor, a resident of Azad Nagar in Andheri and a retired employee of a private company in Borivali, received a call on September 25 from an unidentified person claiming to be a police officer from Panchavati Police Station in Nashik.
The caller alleged that a bank account had been opened in Taylor’s name using his Aadhaar details and was linked to a ₹15 crore money laundering racket. He further claimed that Taylor had received a ₹2 crore commission and warned that he could face a digital arrest if he failed to cooperate.
Despite Taylor denying any involvement, the fraudsters continued questioning him through video calls, presenting the exercise as a confidential police investigation.
They instructed him not to disclose the matter to anyone, including his family, and threatened to arrest his relatives if he revealed the purported investigation.
Retiree Transfers ₹1.10 Crore in Four Instalments
The fraudsters subsequently obtained details of Taylor’s bank accounts, investments and properties before directing him to transfer money into four bank accounts.
They assured him that the funds would be returned once the supposed investigation was completed.
Believing the threats, Taylor transferred ₹29 lakh, ₹42 lakh, ₹9.5 lakh and ₹30 lakh in four instalments, amounting to ₹1.105 crore.
The fraudsters continued their questioning through video calls before eventually ending the exercise.
Taylor later disclosed the incident to an office-bearer of his housing society, who identified it as a cyber fraud and advised him to approach the police.
He subsequently blocked the numbers used by the fraudsters and lodged a complaint with the North Region Cyber Police.
A case was registered against unidentified persons under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to cheating and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act.
Police Trace ₹71 Lakh to Company Account, Arrest Director
During the investigation, cyber police examined the bank accounts used to receive the victim’s money and identified an account belonging to Vrushika Agri & Dairytech Private Limited.
According to investigators, the account had received ₹71 lakh from the funds transferred by Taylor.
Police traced the account to company director Vrushabnath Dhanpal Tardale, who had allegedly opened it in the firm’s name to receive part of the fraud proceeds.
Tardale was subsequently arrested in connection with the case.
The available report does not specify whether the remaining funds have been recovered or whether other individuals involved in the fraud have been identified.
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.
