Cyber cell of Mumbai police gets back Rs 32 lakh that man lost in online fraud

Complainant Mahesh Gupta with his wife

A Borivali businessman who spent a traumatic year during which he lost his father and struggled to fund his wife's treatment after losing Rs 32 lakh to cybercrime has some reason to cheer. The cyber cell of the Mumbai police tracked down the alleged fraudster, a US-educated man, recovered the money and returned it to Mahesh Gupta, who was cheated on the pretext of casting his minor daughter in ads and films.

Gupta is among the scores of victims of cyber frauds amid despite attempts by authorities to raise awareness of nefarious dealings in the digital world. An average 20-25 cybercrimes are reported in Mumbai daily.

In June last year, Gupta said he received a message from an unknown number saying his 15-year-old daughter could be featured in advertisements for top brands. "The message also said that they saw my daughter during a visit to a mall and wanted to cast her in commercials for a top apparel brand," Gupta told mid-day.

Police said accused Apurva Dauda made fake covers of magazines to impress his victims

"The person told me to pay Rs 29,440 to make her portfolio. Later, he said that she had been selected, and told me to pay Rs 3.5 lakh. I paid it through NEFT. He said my daughter would be playing the lead role in a movie called ‘Bachchon Ki Duniya' along with actor Aamir Khan and told me to pay Rs 9.7 lakh for costumes." Gupta said he kept paying the man who spoke only via WhatsApp calls. By the time he grew suspicious, he had already shelled out Rs 32 lakh. "He never met me in person citing the lockdown. He stopped responding to my calls and messages once I started asking about the shooting schedule," said Gupta, who deals in spare parts for aircraft.

Left with no recourse, Gupta, 47, met Rashmi Karandikar, deputy commissioner of police, cyber cell, last month. "I explained how my family was devastated and I had no money for the treatment of my wife who suffered kidney failure. My father died without getting medical care last year. My daughter slipped into depression," he said.

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Smooth operator

Working on the details shared by Gupta, the cybercops last month arrested one Apurva Ashwin Dauda, alias Dr Rishi Shroff, 47, from the Kolhapur toll plaza. The police said Dauda studied in HR College and even went to a business school in Colorado, US. He has apparently done an acting course from Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute in Juhu.

Cops said Dauda even created fake covers of popular magazines showing his photos to impress his victims. Over the past four years, he has allegedly duped over 100 aspiring actors of about Rs 2 crore. He also has an office in Dubai, which is now under the scanner.

"It was very challenging for us to crack this case but my team has worked tirelessly to get him arrested and recover the amount, and the same has been given to the complainant who is having serious medical issues at his home," said Karandikar.

Officers said the detection rate of the cyber cell is about 87 per cent but that is no assurance for people to drop their guard. "With the court's permission we have returned the money to the complainant, but people have to be very careful to avoid such cyber frauds. One must verify before making any kind of payment. Such frauds have been on the rise," said Milind Bharambe, joint commissioner of police, crime.

Gupta was effusive in his praise of the cybercops. He said, "I never thought I would get the money back. I salute the Mumbai police and am grateful to the cyber cell for bringing smiles and peace to my family."

20-25
No. of cybercrime cases reported in the city daily