Mumbai Businessman Loses ₹58 Crore in Sophisticated ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam; Cyber Police Nab Three Accused
Mumbai Businessman Loses ₹58 Crore in Sophisticated ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam; Cyber Police Nab Three Accused
Shockwaves ripple through Mumbai’s business circles after a 72-year-old entrepreneur was tricked into transferring ₹58 crore to fraudsters impersonating government officials. This case is being seen as one of the largest reported individual losses in a digital arrest scam to date. Between August 19 and October 8, the victim received a series of phone and video calls from con artists claiming to be officers from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). They accused him of being involved in a money laundering case, using official-sounding threats to trigger fear.
Pretending to take legal action, the scammers told the businessman he was being placed under “digital arrest” along with his wife. The pressure and psychological manipulation escalated during video calls, with the fraudsters demanding that large sums of money be transferred to secure his release and avoid further action.
Over the next two months, the victim sent a total of ₹58 crore through RTGS into 18 different bank accounts under their direction, unaware he was being deceived. Only after the full amount was gone did he realise it was a scam and approached the cyber crime cell for help.
The Maharashtra Cyber Department launched a probe and registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Investigators quickly began tracing the money trail and requested banks to freeze the funds before they could be withdrawn or rerouted.
Three individuals have been arrested so far:
Abdul Khulli (47) from Malad
Arjun Kadvasara (55) from Mumbai Central
Jetharam Kadvasara (35), Arjun’s brother, also from Mumbai Central
The arrests mark an early breakthrough in a case that officials say reflects a disturbing rise in cybercrime where fraudsters exploit fear, impersonate law enforcement, and pressure victims into massive payments. Law enforcement agencies are urging citizens to stay alert and verify any communication claiming to be from government bodies—especially when such contact involves legal accusations or financial demands.
