In a shocking case of cyber fraud, an 86-year-old woman from South Mumbai was duped out of Rs 20.25 crore by scammers who posed as law enforcement officers. The elaborate scheme, which unfolded between December 26, 2024, and March 3, 2025, involved two men who tricked the victim into believing she was implicated in a major money laundering case.
The Fraudulent Scheme
According to investigators, the scammers, Shayan Jamil Sheikh (20) and Rajik Azam Butt, approached the elderly woman virtually, claiming that her Aadhaar card had been misused to open a bank account linked to illicit financial transactions. Under the pretense of an imminent police crackdown, they pressured her into transferring large sums of money to multiple accounts to “clear her name.”
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“The fraudsters used fear tactics, threatening to file a criminal case against her and her family, including her daughter. They even staged a fake ‘digital arrest’ to make the situation appear more real,” an officer involved in the investigation told.
A Web of International Fraud
Following the arrest of Sheikh and Butt, police uncovered links to a larger global scam. Investigators found that Butt had created a Telegram group with 13 foreign nationals, where he allegedly shared details of Indian bank accounts to facilitate fraud.
Authorities now suspect that both accused were part of an organized international crime syndicate and played key roles in orchestrating cyber scams. Further investigations are underway to identify other bank accounts linked to this criminal network and track down masterminds operating from abroad.
This case highlights the growing threat of sophisticated digital frauds, emphasizing the need for public awareness and stronger cybersecurity measures to prevent such financial crimes.