Pune: Marathi Film Producer Arrested In Pimpri Chinchwad For Cyber Fraud Linked To 15 Online Scam Cases
Pune: Marathi Film Producer Arrested In Pimpri Chinchwad For Cyber Fraud Linked To 15 Online Scam Cases
Pune | July 30, 2025 — The Pimpri-Chinchwad Cyber Crime Police have arrested a 34-year-old Marathi film producer for his alleged involvement in multiple cyber fraud cases across India. The accused, identified as Shivam Balkrushna Sanvatsarkar, a resident of Erandwane in Pune, is suspected to have collaborated with a Chinese cyber operative and allowed his bank accounts to be used in fraudulent transactions.
The arrest stems from a probe into an online share trading scam, where a local man was duped of ₹56 lakh after being lured through a YouTube advertisement promoting a fake trading app. The victim believed he had earned ₹5.15 crore in profits, only to realize he had been manipulated into making repeated transactions.
While investigating the case, cyber police traced a suspicious bank account under the name Balaji Enterprises, registered in Pune. The account was linked to Sanvatsarkar, who initially denied any wrongdoing and claimed to be a film producer. However, further investigation revealed financial connections with a Chinese individual operating under the alias ‘Bambino’.
According to police, Sanvatsarkar knowingly allowed his account to be used in at least 15 cyber fraud cases, with over ₹86 lakh in transactions flowing through his accounts over several weeks. Two additional bank accounts under his name are also under scrutiny.
“Evidence indicates that the suspect was in direct contact with a Chinese cyber fraudster and provided access to his bank accounts in exchange for financial gain,” said an investigating officer. “He has been involved in Marathi cinema since 2011 and has produced four films, one of which featured a well-known Marathi actor.”
Sanvatsarkar was arrested last week, and his arrest was made public after the initial investigation was completed.
Authorities have raised alarms over the growing number of online share trading frauds in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, where scammers use social media ads, trading tips, mobile apps, and promises of high returns to trap victims. Despite multiple awareness drives and police advisories, residents continue to fall prey to such schemes.
