The Western Region Cyber Police arrested an auto-rickshaw driver in connection with a cyber fraud racket that defrauded a 69-year-old resident of Andheri of ₹1.54 crore. The victim, a retired private sector employee, was allegedly targeted by fraudsters who exploited his bank accounts through the accused driver.
Police said that in December 2025, the cybercriminals contacted the senior citizen, claiming he had been involved in circulating obscene content online. The fraudsters impersonated police officers and warned him that he would face arrest if he did not cooperate.
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Elaborate Mock Courtroom Deception
Investigation revealed that the accused orchestrated an elaborate scheme to coerce the victim. Fake summons and an arrest warrant were sent, and the victim was made to sign a confidentiality agreement. The fraudsters even staged a mock courtroom proceeding, complete with a fake judge, to gain the victim’s trust and pressure him into transferring money.
Following their instructions, the victim transferred funds into multiple accounts under the pretense of an ongoing investigation. Fearing arrest, he sent a total of ₹1.57 crore. The fraudsters then cut off all communication. Upon realizing he had been defrauded, the victim approached the police, who promptly registered a case and began tracking the money trail.
Police traced the transactions to a bank account linked to an auto-rickshaw driver in Mumbai. The driver, identified as Ashok Pal, was subsequently arrested for allegedly facilitating the transfers. A senior police officer said, “We are tracing the fraudsters who made the calls to the victim and are involved in this racket. The arrested auto driver acted only as a conduit to transfer the funds.”
Sophisticated Social Engineering Exposed
Experts noted that this case highlights the sophisticated use of social engineering and digital manipulation in large-scale cyber frauds. Criminals often rely on trust-building and fear tactics, employing fake documents, virtual court sessions, and impersonation of officials to pressure victims into compliance.
Police have urged the public to exercise caution while conducting online transactions or making investments. Anyone receiving suspicious calls, requests for transfers, or encountering potential cyber fraud should immediately report the matter to their nearest cyber crime police station or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
Main Fraudsters Still at Large
Investigators believe other members of the scam network are still at large, and further arrests may follow soon. This case underscores the strict action being taken by law enforcement against large digital fraud networks operating across the country.
Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and use only verified platforms and secure banking channels. Cyber authorities emphasized that awareness and caution are the first and most effective lines of defense against such elaborate fraud schemes.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
