Cyber fraudsters posing as police, RBI, ED, and court officials allegedly used fake notices and terror-funding threats to make a 68-year-old south Mumbai retiree liquidate investments and transfer money to bank accounts and a crypto wallet.
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A 68-year-old retired private-company employee from south Mumbai was allegedly cheated of ₹7.21 crore by cyber fraudsters who threatened to implicate her in false money-laundering and terror-funding cases, police said.
The fraudsters allegedly impersonated officials from government and law-enforcement bodies, including a purported representative of the National Data Protection Board of India and a fake Assistant Commissioner of Police from Nashik.
Using WhatsApp video calls and fabricated notices allegedly carrying the names of a court, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the accused reportedly pressured the woman into transferring money to multiple bank accounts and a cryptocurrency wallet.
In a state of panic, the woman allegedly broke fixed deposits, redeemed mutual funds and transferred the money as instructed. She later searched online, realized she had been cheated and lodged a complaint through the cybercrime helpline 1930. The South Region Cyber Police have registered a case and begun an investigation.
How the Scam Began
According to police, the woman first received a call in April from a man who identified himself as “Rajkumar Das,” claiming to be an official of the National Data Protection Board of India.
The caller allegedly told her that her mobile number had been used in a cybercrime connected to money laundering and funding for the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and terrorists.
This was the first layer of the scam: create fear by linking the victim to serious crimes and making the allegation sound official. This story was also covered by India Today.
The fraudsters then allegedly escalated the pressure. The woman received a WhatsApp video call from another person who identified himself as “John Mathew,” claiming to be an Assistant Commissioner of Police attached to Panchavati Police Station in Nashik.
Police said this person sent purported notices and orders from a court, the RBI, and the ED.
The documents were allegedly designed to make the victim believe that she was under investigation and had to cooperate immediately to prove her innocence.
Fake Notices and “Digital Arrest” Tactics
The fraud fits a pattern often described as a “digital arrest” or fake law-enforcement scam.
In such cases, fraudsters pose as police officers, CBI officials, ED officers, RBI representatives, telecom officials, customs officers or bank staff. They tell victims that their Aadhaar, bank account, SIM card, parcel or mobile number has been linked to money laundering, narcotics, terror funding or another serious offense.
The fraudsters often use:
Fake police uniforms in video calls
Spoofed caller identities
Fake government letters
Forged court notices
RBI or ED logos
Threats of arrest
Claims that the victim’s account will be frozen
Instructions not to tell family members
Repeated video calls to keep the victim frightened
Demands for “verification transfers” or “safe account” transfers
In the south Mumbai case, the fraudsters allegedly exploited the woman’s fear of being implicated in money laundering and terror funding.
They reportedly told her that transferring money to accounts or a crypto wallet would help prove her innocence or allow authorities to verify the funds.
No police officer, RBI official, ED officer or court will ask a citizen to transfer money to a bank account or cryptocurrency wallet to prove innocence in a criminal case.
How ₹7.21 Crore Was Transferred
Police said the woman transferred money to multiple bank accounts and a cryptocurrency wallet after the fraudsters allegedly convinced her that this was necessary to clear her name.
The victim reportedly:
Broke her fixed deposits
Redeemed mutual-fund investments
Transferred funds in multiple transactions
Sent money to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters
Transferred some amount to a cryptocurrency wallet
The use of cryptocurrency is especially concerning. Crypto transfers can be more difficult to trace and reverse than conventional bank transfers, particularly if the fraudsters move funds quickly through multiple digital wallets or offshore platforms.
The incident also shows why senior citizens are often targeted. Fraudsters may assume that retirees have savings, fixed deposits, insurance proceeds or mutual-fund investments. They also exploit fear around police cases and financial compliance.
However, anyone can become a victim. Cybercriminals use urgency and intimidation, not only technical skills.
Victim Realises She Was Duped
The woman later searched online and realized that the calls and notices were part of a cyber fraud.
She contacted the national cybercrime helpline 1930, following which the South Region Cyber Police registered a case and began a detailed investigation.
The speed of reporting is important in such cases. Once money is transferred, fraudsters often move it through mule accounts, withdraw it, convert it into cryptocurrency, or layer it through many accounts.
The sooner a victim calls 1930, contacts the bank and files a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, the better the chance of freezing or tracing at least part of the money.
Statements and Police Investigation
Police said the case relates to the alleged cheating of a south Mumbai woman who retired from a private company in 2024.
Investigators are examining the bank accounts and crypto wallet used in the transactions. They are also likely to analyze the following:
The phone numbers used by the callers
WhatsApp accounts and video-call logs
IP addresses and device data
Fake notices and document metadata
Beneficiary bank accounts
KYC details linked to bank accounts
Cryptocurrency wallet addresses
Possible mule accounts
Call records and financial trails
The case could involve multiple layers of criminals. One group may make calls, another may prepare forged documents, another may provide bank accounts, while others may handle cryptocurrency transfers.
At this stage, the identity of the fraudsters has not been publicly confirmed.
The Rise of Fake Money Laundering Scams
Digital-arrest scams have become increasingly common in India.
Victims are often told the following:
Their Aadhaar number was used to open a bank account
A SIM card was issued in their name
A parcel containing illegal items was sent using their identity
Their bank account received suspicious funds
Their phone number was linked to terror financing
Their money must be moved to a “safe account” for verification
The scam works because the accusations are frightening. Money laundering, terrorism, narcotics and ED cases sound serious, and many people do not know how real agencies communicate.
Real law enforcement agencies may issue notices through formal procedures, but they do not demand that a person transfer money over a phone call, WhatsApp video call or crypto wallet.
The biggest red flags are the following:
“Do not tell anyone.”
“You will be arrested today.”
“Transfer money to prove innocence.”
“Your account will be frozen in one hour.”
“Stay on video call.”
“Move funds to an RBI/ED/police safe account.”
“Pay in crypto.”
Any of these should be treated as a probable scam.
Also Read: Mumbai Cybercrime Police Arrest Two in Bihar, Jharkhand in ₹48.60 Lakh Boss Scam
Timeline
April 2026: The 68-year-old south Mumbai woman receives a call from a man identifying himself as “Rajkumar Das,” allegedly claiming to be a National Data Protection Board official.
During the first call: The caller allegedly says her mobile number was used in cybercrime connected to money laundering and terror funding.
Subsequent contact: Another person contacts her via WhatsApp video call, identifies himself as “John Mathew,” and claims to be an ACP attached to Panchavati Police Station in Nashik.
Fake documents sent: The fraudsters allegedly send notices and orders purportedly issued by a court, RBI, and ED.
Financial transfers: The woman breaks fixed deposits, redeems mutual funds and transfers money to several bank accounts and a cryptocurrency wallet.
Total alleged loss: Police record the fraud amount at ₹7.21 crore.
Fraud discovered: The woman searches online, suspects cybercrime and calls helpline 1930.
Police case registered: South Region Cyber Police begin investigating the financial trail, phone numbers and digital evidence.
Why This Matters
Yeh case kaafi important hai because it shows how cybercriminals now use fear, fake legal documents and digital tools to steal life savings.
High-value financial loss: The alleged ₹7.21 crore fraud is among the biggest reported digital-arrest-style scams involving a Mumbai resident.
Senior citizens targeted: Retirees are often targeted because scammers expect them to have fixed deposits, investments and savings.
Trust in institutions misused: Fraudsters use the names and symbols of police, RBI, ED, and courts to create fear and legitimacy.
Crypto makes recovery harder: Funds transferred to cryptocurrency wallets may be more difficult to trace or recover.
Need for awareness: A simple rule can prevent major losses—no government agency asks you to transfer money to prove innocence.
The fraud also shows why families should regularly discuss cybersafety with elderly relatives.
India Angle
India’s rapid digital adoption has made banking and investment management easier, but it has also created a large target base for cybercriminals.
Many people receive calls, messages or WhatsApp video calls from fraudsters who claim to represent banks, police stations, tax departments, customs, telecom companies or government agencies.
The key protection steps are:
Do not share OTPs, PINs, passwords or banking details
Do not click links or download apps sent by unknown people
Do not transfer money to a “safe account.”
Independently verify official claims through official website numbers
Tell a family member or trusted person before making a large transfer
Call 1930 immediately if money is transferred by mistake
Inform your bank and request account freezing
File a complaint at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
Cyber fraudsters depend on secrecy. The moment a victim speaks to family, bank staff or real police, the scam often collapses.
“Government officer bol raha hai” should never be enough reason to transfer money.
Analysis
The biggest weapon used by fraudsters in this case was not technology—it was panic.
The callers created a chain of authority:
A fake data-protection official
A fake police officer
Fake court documents
Fake RBI notices
Fake ED orders
Urgent instructions to move funds
Each layer was designed to make the fraud more believable.
This is why awareness campaigns must explain not only what scams look like but also how scammers manipulate emotions. Fear of arrest, shame, urgency and isolation are central to digital-arrest fraud.
In my view, banks should introduce stronger safeguards for unusual high-value transfers by senior citizens. A brief cooling-off period, independent confirmation call or in-person verification could prevent some catastrophic losses.
What Next
The next stage of the case will focus on tracing the money and identifying the accused.
Bank-account tracing: Police will examine beneficiary accounts and identify possible mule-account holders.
Crypto-wallet analysis: Investigators will track the digital wallet used in the alleged fraud.
Call-data review: Police may examine the numbers, devices, locations and WhatsApp records used by the scammers.
Document forensics: Fake notices may be checked for metadata, templates, IP links and document-creation patterns.
Fund-freezing effort: Police and banks may try to freeze any funds that remain in intermediary accounts.
Interstate or international links: The use of crypto may lead investigators to networks beyond Mumbai or India.
Awareness drive: The case may prompt fresh warnings from Mumbai Police, banks and cybercrime agencies.
Conclusion
A 68-year-old woman from south Mumbai has allegedly lost ₹7.21 crore after cybercriminals threatened to implicate her in fake money-laundering and terror-funding cases.
The fraudsters allegedly used fake identities, WhatsApp video calls and fabricated notices from the RBI, ED, and courts to pressure her into liquidating fixed deposits and mutual funds before transferring money to multiple accounts and a cryptocurrency wallet.
The case is a powerful warning: no real police officer, court, RBI, or ED official will ask someone to transfer money to prove innocence.
If you receive such a call, disconnect, verify independently and call 1930 immediately. Panic is exactly what scammers want. Sach yeh hai: genuine agencies do not conduct investigations through WhatsApp threats and “safe account” transfers.
Written By A. Jack