Mumbai: Two residents of Kalyan have been arrested for allegedly defrauding an agro businessman of nearly Rs 90 lakh by impersonating police officials and threatening him with a fabricated accident case. The accused, identified as Uday Jha (31) and Dhiru Gupta (30), were taken into custody by the Maharashtra cyber cell after investigators traced the money trail to their mule bank accounts.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to police, the victim was initially lured with a 'lucky draw' motorcycle offer after purchasing a new phone. After sharing his Aadhaar and PAN details, he was informed that the bike met with an accident during delivery, injuring an elderly man. The caller initially demanded Rs 30,000 for hospital expenses. Days later, the fraudster, posing as a jail official, claimed the man had died and threatened the victim with arrest unless compensation was paid. Fearing legal action, the victim transferred Rs 88 lakh in multiple installments.
Investigation and Arrests
The fraud came to light after repeated threats prompted the victim to file a police complaint. The cyber cell launched an investigation, tracking the money to accounts controlled by Jha and Gupta. Both were arrested and are currently in custody. Investigations are ongoing to identify other possible accomplices and victims.
Authorities urge the public to be cautious of such scams and verify any official claims before making payments. The cyber cell continues to probe the case to uncover the full extent of the fraudulent network.
