Mumbai: A 79-year-old retired professional from Andheri has allegedly lost ₹1.10 crore after cybercriminals impersonating police officials subjected him to a prolonged fake investigation and threatened to arrest his family. Mumbai’s North Region Cyber Police have arrested a company director whose firm’s bank account allegedly received ₹71 lakh of the stolen money.
The victim, Harivandan Dahyabhai Taylor, a resident of Azad Nagar, received a call on September 25 from a person claiming to be a police officer from Nashik’s Panchavati police station. The caller alleged that Taylor’s Aadhaar details had been misused to open a bank account connected to a ₹15-crore money laundering case. He was further accused of receiving ₹2 crore as commission.
Despite denying the allegations, Taylor was subjected to repeated video calls in which the fraudsters posed as investigators. They warned him against contacting anyone, including his family, claiming that revealing details could result in his relatives being arrested.
Under pressure, Taylor was instructed to disclose his bank accounts, investments and property details before transferring money into four accounts for supposed verification. He made four payments of ₹29 lakh, ₹42 lakh, ₹9.5 lakh and ₹30 lakh, taking the total loss to ₹1.10 crore.
The fraud came to light after Taylor discussed the incident with a housing society office-bearer, who advised him to approach the police.
Investigators subsequently traced the transactions and identified an account belonging to Vrushika Agri & Dairytech Private Limited, which had received ₹71 lakh.
Police arrested the company’s director, Vrushabnath Dhanpal Tardale, a Karnataka native, in connection with the case. The investigation is underway.
