Mumbai Police Arrest Man for Bank Account Role in Rs 48 Lakh Cyber Fraud
In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the central cyber police in Mumbai have apprehended a 32-year-old man accused of facilitating a sophisticated fraud scheme. The arrest targets an individual who allegedly permitted his bank account to be exploited by cybercriminals impersonating officials from the Mumbai Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Using the threat of digital arrest, these fraudsters deceived a local businessman out of nearly Rs 48 lakh, highlighting the escalating risks of online financial crimes in urban centers.
Details of the Arrest and Accused
The arrested individual, identified as Swapnil Chavan, is a farmer and agro-company operator. Police investigations reveal that he received approximately Rs 10 lakh in his bank account as part of the fraudulent activities. Authorities are currently scrutinizing his financial records to determine if he accepted funds from additional sources and whether he is connected to a larger criminal network. This arrest forms a crucial component of an ongoing probe aimed at dismantling extensive cybercrime operations that prey on unsuspecting victims through impersonation and intimidation tactics.
Victim Profile and Fraud Methodology
The victim, a branch manager at a pharmaceutical company in Byculla and a resident of Kalachowki, fell prey to the scam in early 2026. According to the first information report dated February 19, 2026, the fraud began on January 7 when the victim received a call from a person claiming to be Inspector Ranjit Kumar Singh from the Mumbai Police headquarters in Colaba. The caller falsely alleged that the victim's Aadhaar card had been misused for anti-national activities, coercing him into a fabricated investigation.
Subsequently, the victim was contacted via video calls by individuals posing as senior ATS and NIA officials. These fraudsters threatened him with digital arrest and shared counterfeit documents, including a confidential agreement, an asset seizure order, and an arrest warrant. To obtain a so-called non-involvement certificate, the victim was instructed to transfer money for verification purposes. Fearing legal repercussions, he transferred Rs 47.99 lakh between January 8 and January 23, 2026, to multiple bank accounts across institutions such as City Union Bank, State Bank of India, and Equitas Bank.
Investigation and Recovery Efforts
When the accused ceased communication, the victim realized the deception and filed a complaint with the Cyber Helpline (1930) on February 3, 2026. Cyber police officers have emphasized that further investigations are actively underway to trace other members of the syndicate and recover the defrauded funds. This case underscores the critical need for public awareness and robust cybersecurity measures to combat evolving digital threats, particularly those involving impersonation of law enforcement agencies.
