Mumbai Businessman Loses ₹58 Crore in Massive ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam, Three Arrested
Mumbai: In one of the biggest reported cases of cyber fraud involving an individual in India, a 72-year-old Mumbai businessman allegedly lost a staggering ₹58 crore after fraudsters posed as officials from central investigative agencies and placed him under a so-called “digital arrest.”
According to investigators, the scam unfolded over nearly two months, from August to October 2025. The fraudsters allegedly contacted the businessman through video calls, introducing themselves as officers from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
They reportedly told the victim that his name had surfaced in a money laundering investigation and threatened him with legal action. Using fear and intimidation, the scammers convinced both the businessman and his wife that they were under constant surveillance and could not disclose the matter to anyone.
Terrified by the allegations, the businessman followed the instructions given by the fraudsters and transferred money through multiple RTGS transactions into bank accounts provided by them. By the time he realized he had been deceived, he had lost nearly ₹58 crore.
After receiving the complaint, the Maharashtra Cyber Department launched an investigation and traced the movement of funds across at least 18 bank accounts. Authorities immediately began efforts to freeze the transferred money and identify those involved in the operation.
The investigation led to the arrest of three suspects — Abdul Khulli, Arjun Kadvasara and Jetharam Kadvasara — who are believed to have played a role in the fraud network.
Officials said the case highlights the growing threat of “digital arrest” scams, a form of cybercrime in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers or government officials to scare victims into transferring money.
Cybercrime experts continue to urge the public to remain cautious, emphasizing that no legitimate government agency conducts arrests, investigations or financial settlements through video calls or demands money transfers to avoid legal action.
The case serves as a stark reminder that even experienced and financially aware individuals can fall victim to increasingly sophisticated online fraud schemes.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
