A 59-year-old man from Navi Mumbai has allegedly been cheated of Rs 74.67 lakh after being lured into investing in share trading with a promise of high returns, police said on Thursday, reported news agency PTI. The accused had contacted the victim, a resident of Panvel, and persuaded him to invest in share trading. Initially, small profits were credited to his account to gain his confidence. Subsequently, the accused persuaded him to invest larger amounts by displaying inflated returns on a fake trading interface and directing him to transfer money to fraudulent bank accounts, reported PTI. The victim deposited the money into the accounts between November 28, 2025, and January 1 this year, an official from the cyber police station said. However, the victim neither received any profit nor was he able to recover his invested amount, he said, reported PTI. Based on his complaint, the cyber police on Tuesday registered a case against five persons under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating and online fraud, the official said. Senior citizen placed under digital arrest for 'Delhi blast probe', forced to pay Rs 16.50 lakh In another case, a 75-year-old retired BMC official was allegedly duped of Rs 16.50 lakh by cyber fraudsters who posed as ATS and NIA officials and placed him under a "digital arrest" for 'interrogation', claiming his name surfaced in the Delhi Bomb blast case, police said on Wednesday, reported PTI. The incident came to light on Monday after the victim, a resident of Andheri East, approached the West Region Cyber Police Station, an official said, reported PTI. According to the police, the victim received a call on December 11 from unidentified persons claiming to be officers from the Delhi Anti-Terrorism Department. The caller threatened him, saying his name had surfaced in a Delhi bomb blast case and that he needed to be interrogated secretly, reported PTI. The caller then asked the victim to download the Signal application, where he received a video call. During the call, one of the fraudsters posed as NIA officer Sadanand Date. The caller told the victim that a bank account linked to his mobile number had allegedly received Rs 7 crore through money laundering activities and warned that he would be arrested in the case, police said, reported PTI. Citing the seriousness of the matter and its alleged connection to national security, the caller instructed the victim not to discuss the issue with anyone. Claiming that the agency needed to verify whether his investments and deposits were from legal sources, the fraudsters asked the victim to transfer his money to certain bank accounts for verification, reported PTI. Accordingly, the victim deposited Rs 16.50 lakh, following which the caller blocked his number. The victim then approached the cyber police and lodged a complaint, based on which a case has been registered against unidentified persons, the official said. (With inputs from PTI)
22 January,2026 10:49 AM IST | ThaneA 75-year-old retired civic official has allegedly been duped of Rs 16.5 lakh by cyber fraudsters who posed as ATS and NIA personnel and placed him under "digital arrest" for interrogation, claiming his name surfaced in the Delhi bomb blast case, police said, reported news agency PTI. The victim, a resident of Andheri (East) in Mumbai, approached the West Region Cyber Police Station on Monday, an official said on Wednesday, reported PTI. Scam linked to fake probe into Delhi blast case An explosive-laden vehicle detonated outside the historic Red Fort in Delhi on November 10 last year, killing over 12 persons. According to the police, the victim, a retired official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, received a call on December 11 from unidentified persons claiming to be officers from the Delhi anti-terrorism department. The caller threatened him, saying his name had surfaced in the Delhi bomb blast case and that he needed to be interrogated secretly, reported PTI. The caller then asked the victim to download the Signal application, where he received a video call. During the call, one of the fraudsters posed as National Investigation Agency (NIA) officer Sadanand Date, reported PTI. Victim warned of money laundering case The caller told the victim that a bank account linked to his mobile number had allegedly received Rs 7 crore through money laundering activities and warned that he would be arrested in the case, the police said. Citing the seriousness of the matter and its alleged connection to national security, the caller instructed the victim not to discuss the issue with anyone, reported PTI. Money transferred for ‘verification’, caller vanishes The fraudsters claimed that the agency needed to verify whether his investments and deposits were from legal sources, and asked the victim to transfer his money to certain bank accounts for verification, a police official said. Accordingly, the victim deposited Rs 16.5 lakh, following which the caller blocked his number. Case registered against unidentified accused The victim later approached the cyber police and lodged a complaint, based on which a case has been registered against unidentified persons, the official said. Digital arrest is a growing form of cybercrime in which fraudsters pose as law enforcement, court officials or personnel from government agencies to intimidate victims through audio and video calls. They hold the victims hostage and put pressure on them to pay money. Supreme Court, MHA take note of rising digital arrest cases In December last year, the Supreme Court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to carry out a unified pan-India probe into cases of digital arrest fraud. It had passed the directions in a suo motu case registered on the complaint of an elderly couple from Haryana. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on January 15 informed the apex court that it had formed a high-level committee to examine issues regarding the digital arrest fraud. (With inputs from PTI)
22 January,2026 10:29 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Santacruz police have registered an FIR against an incense stick manufacturing company, for allegedly using the chemical pesticide dimefluthrin in its products without a valid licence. The complaint was filed by Bhagwan Pathare, an agricultural officer, after tests confirmed the presence of the chemical in the incense sticks seized from the company. Following the findings, the agriculture department has also shut down the unit and prohibited the sale of its products in the market. According to police, about a month ago, the agriculture department launched a probe after receiving information that incense sticks containing dimefluthrin were being sold. During an inspection, officials found the chemical in 29 boxes of a brand’s incense sticks. “This chemical is usually used in mosquito repellents and insect-control products and is not permitted for use in incense sticks. Its use can be harmful to human health. The company also did not have permission from the Central Insecticides Board to use the chemical, yet it allegedly continued manufacturing and selling the product,” a police officer said. Speaking to mid-day, Pathare said, “We inspected the company premises and found dimefluthrin in 29 boxes of incense sticks. Three boxes were sent to the National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM) for laboratory testing, which confirmed the presence of the chemical. As the company did not have a licence to use it, we informed the Santacruz police to investigate. The brand was shut down a month ago, and after receiving the test reports and other evidence, the FIR has now been registered.” Police said an first information report has been registered under the Insecticides Act, 1968, the Insecticides Rules, 1971, and Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway.
22 January,2026 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaMumbai Police, while opposing the bail of the accused in the Bhandup BEST bus accident told the court that he was driving the vehicle rashly allegedly leading to a fatal accident last month. Police told the Mumbai court that the driver was allegedly driving at a high speed despite knowing that the area near Bhandup station in eastern suburbs of the city was heavily crowded. The submission was made on Wednesday while opposing the bail application of bus driver Santosh Sawant who was arrested by the police following the incident. In its reply, the police said granting bail to the accused could lead to a law and order situation, given the sensitive nature of the case and public anger following the incident, according to the PTI. No mechanical fault found The police also informed the court that an inspection by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) found no mechanical defects in the electric bus involved in the crash, ruling out technical failure as a cause, as per the PTI. Victims still undergoing treatment According to the police, six of the 12 people injured in the accident are still in a serious condition and are receiving treatment at different hospitals across the city. The fatal accident The accident took place on December 29, 2025, near the Bhandup (West) suburban railway station. A nine-metre-long electric bus manufactured by Olectra Greentech and operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking crashed into pedestrians standing near a bus stop. Four people were killed and 12 others were injured in the incident. Bus driver was arrested after crash At the time of the accident, the bus was being driven by 52-year-old Santosh Sawant. He was later arrested by the Bhandup police and is currently in judicial custody. A case has been registered against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act for rash and negligent driving. Defence claims no criminal intent In his bail plea, Sawant claimed that he was innocent and had been falsely implicated. He said the accident occurred when he tried to save a rickshaw and pedestrians who suddenly appeared in front of the bus, causing him to lose control, as per the PTI. He also stated that there was no criminal intent behind the incident. Eyewitness account cited by cops Rejecting the defence, police told the court that the BEST bus was driven recklessly and at high speed, crashing into passengers waiting at a bus stop. An eyewitness told investigators that the driver was aware of the heavy crowd near the bus stop close to the Bhandup police outpost but still drove at high speed while taking a turn behind the outpost, the news agency reported. Witness safety a concern Police further argued that the accused and key witnesses live in the same locality, raising the possibility of witness intimidation if the driver is released on bail. They added that the investigation is still ongoing and more evidence is being collected. The court is expected to deliver its order on Santosh Sawant’s bail plea on January 23. (with PTI inputs)
21 January,2026 10:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 40-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly running a prostitution racket from a hotel in Bhiwandi city in Thane district of Maharashtra, officials said on Wednesday, reported the PTI. The accused is said to be a resident of Santacruz (East) in Mumbai, a Thane crime branch official said. Police have registered a case against the woman under various sections. Victims lured with money Investigations revealed that the accused allegedly lured two women with money and forced them into prostitution. Police said further action will be taken after the investigation is completed. Mumbra cops seize 13.6 kg mephedrone worth Rs 27 crore Meanwhile, in an another incident, mephedrone worth Rs 27.21 crore was seized in Mumbra after an interstate peddling racket was busted, with officials on Monday stating it was the biggest haul of drugs at the police station level under Thane police commissionerate, reported the PTI. Based on a tip off, the NDPS squad of Mumbra police station laid a trap in an area close to a hospital and arrested Basu Umardin Sayed with 23.5 grams of mephedrone, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Subhash Burse said. "Our probe revealed a direct supply chain stretching from Madhya Pradesh to Thane. Sayed's interrogation led police to suppliers Ram Singh Amar Singh Gujjar (40) and Kailash Shambhulalji Balai (36), both from Madhya Pradesh," the DCP informed, as per the PTI. He said 3.51 kilograms of mephedrone worth Rs 7.30 crore were seized from Gujjar and Balai. Later a team from Mumbra police station travelled to Ratlam in MP and arrested two other suppliers, identified as Manohar Lal Ranglal Gujjar and Riyazmohammad Sultanmohammad Mansuri alias Raju, the official said, according to the PTI. Five held in case "We recovered 9.95 kilograms of mephedrone worth Rs 19.91 crore from Manohar Lal and Raju. The total haul is 13.629 kilograms worth Rs 27.21 crore. It is the highest at the police station level under Thane commissionerate. It is a notable achievement for Mumbra police station," the official added, the news agency reported. All five persons are history sheeters with prior cases registered against their names under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Indian Penal Code and Arms Act, the DCP said. According to data provided by police, the NDPS squad of Mumbra police station has seized narcotics worth Rs 48.50 crore in 954 operations since January 2024. (with PTI inputs)
21 January,2026 09:32 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA 38-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly stealing jewellery from the bags and purses of passengers travelling on long-distance trains, with valuables worth over Rs 21 lakh recovered from him, news agency PTI reported, quoting officers on Wednesday. The Government Railway Police (GRP) identified the accused as Vinay Rameshchandra Soni, a resident of Kanpur Dehat in Uttar Pradesh. He was arrested on January 14, the police added. "The accused has been involved in multiple cases of lifting satchels, trolley bags and purses of railway passengers during overnight journeys," said Senior Inspector Vijay Khedkar of the special task force, GRP. He added that a probe was launched after a complaint was registered at the Kalyan Railway Police Station in Maharashtra's Thane district in June 2025. The complainant told GRP that his bag containing ornaments valued at Rs 63,000 was stolen during his journey on the Patna Express, PTI reported. During follow-up investigations on January 17 and 18, stolen gold and silver jewellery worth nearly Rs 21 lakh, linked to multiple cases registered at Kalyan Railway Police Station, was recovered. With Soni's arrest, six theft cases have been solved, he added. Woman arrested for Rs 7-lakh gold jewellery theft during polling day in Thane Police arrested a 40-year-old woman for allegedly breaking into a house in Maharashtra's Thane district and stealing gold ornaments valued at Rs 7.08 lakh, an officer said. The theft occurred on January 15 when a 51-year-old woman, occupant of the house, located in the Mira Road area, had gone to cast her vote in the civic polls. When the woman returned home after voting, she found that someone had entered the house, broken a wooden cupboard locker in the bedroom and stolen gold ornaments of Rs 7.08 lakh, Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar's Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Madan Ballal said. Based on her complaint, the police launched an investigation and zeroed in on a woman suspect. They took her into custody on January 17, and during interrogation, she confessed to her involvement in the offence, he said, reported PTI. Following the information provided by the accused, all the stolen jewellery was later recovered, the police said. The accused was booked under relevant provisions for housebreaking and theft. (With PTI inputs)
21 January,2026 09:16 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentPolice have registered a case against the director of an educational consultancy and his three associates for allegedly cheating a Thane resident of Rs 15.39 lakh under the pretext of facilitating his son's medical education in Russia, an official said on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI. The victim, a resident of Dombivli in Maharashtra's Thane district, had sought the consultancy's help to secure admission for his son at a university in Russia for a six-year medical degree course. The accused contacted the victim through mobile phone and gained his trust by promising a seamless admission process. Based on the assurances, the victim's son was admitted to the university in Russia and he subsequently deposited USD 27,000 (equivalent to about Rs 23.08 lakh) into the bank accounts designated by the accused to cover the educational expenses, the official from Dombivli police station said, reported PTI. It was later found that the consultancy had not fulfilled its financial obligations to the Russian institution. An investigation showed that while the accused received the full amount for the duration of the course, they only remitted USD 9,000 (about Rs 7.69 lakh) to the university, covering only one-and-a-half years of fees, the official said, reported PTI. The remaining USD 18,000, amounting to Rs 15.39 lakh, was misappropriated by the accused, he said, adding the alleged fraud took place between September 2023 and January 2024. Following a complaint by the victim, the police on Monday registered a case against the educational consultancy director and his associates on charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust, he said. Further probe into the case was underway. Man booked for cheating ex-employer of Rs 38.61 lakh in Thane Meanwhile, a case has been registered against a 35-year-old man for allegedly cheating his former employer of Rs 38.61 lakh in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Tuesday, reported PTI. A first information report (FIR) has been registered against the accused, Prakash Jabbar Singh, under sections 316(2) (criminal breach of trust) and 318(4) (cheating) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for the alleged fraud that took place between January and October 2024, an official said, reported PTI. He said the complainant, an oil trader, has alleged that Singh systematically siphoned off money and goods belonging to his company over a period of 10 months while he was working for him. The accused allegedly took products worth Rs 23.56 lakh from the complainant's customers for himself and purchased goods worth Rs 15 lakh for sale in his own grocery store, the officer said, reported PTI. Singh allegedly misappropriated Rs 38.61 lakh, he said, adding that a probe is underway and no arrest has been made. (With inputs from PTI)
21 January,2026 01:27 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA special court in Mumbai has granted permission to a Ukrainian woman, arrested in a money laundering case linked to multi-crore Torres investment fraud, to use an English-to-Russian translation dictionary while in judicial custody, reported news agency PTI. Accused cites language barrier while seeking dictionary The accused, Tazagul Xasatov, claimed that she does not know English and requires the dictionary for both recreation and better understanding of charges levelled against her in the scam, which came to light early last year, reported PTI. PMLA court allows plea after considering legal rights Special PMLA court judge R B Rote, earlier this month, granted her plea to use an English-to-Russian translation dictionary, emphasising the accused has a right to have the knowledge of allegations made against her. ED opposes request, flags investigation concerns During the hearing, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed her plea, arguing she has resided in India for a substantial period and is familiar with both Hindi and English. Agency warns dictionary may aid co-accused Providing a dictionary could potentially assist other accused individuals or cause "disturbance in the investigation", submitted the central agency, which is probing the money laundering case, reported PTI. Court finds no material to deny relief Judge Rote, however, held that "no prejudice would be caused" by providing the wordbook and there was no record of evidence to justify denying the request. Jail authorities directed to allow dictionary use The court then directed jail authorities to permit Xasatov to use the requested English-to-Russian dictionary/book, reported PTI. Torres Jewellery firm accused of cheating investors Platinum Hern Pvt Ltd, which operated under the brand name Torres Jewellery, is alleged to have cheated its customers after collecting a "huge" amount of cash from them in lieu of the sale of Moissanite diamonds and other jewellery, reported PTI. Funds allegedly laundered through hawala and crypto Instead of using the said cash for its legitimate business purposes, it was routed through hawala operators and later converted into USDT cryptocurrency, according to police. ED probe originates from Navi Mumbai police FIR The ED case stems from a police FIR filed in Navi Mumbai. (With inputs from PTI)
21 January,2026 09:24 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 58-year-old senior railway official was allegedly duped of Rs 11.5 lakh in a sophisticated online trading scam after being added to a WhatsApp group that promised high returns on stock market investments, Eastern Cyber police said. The complainant, a station manager posted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), told police that the fraud took place between November 26, 2025, and January 11, 2026, while he was at his residence in Chembur. According to investigators, the victim was added to a WhatsApp group titled ‘D1 Nadir Varma Teaching Exchange Community’. Several participants used international phone numbers and posed as experienced stock market experts. Police said the group members persuaded the official to download a trading application named PZENA INV through a Play Store link. He was then directed to register on an external website, where he allegedly shared his Aadhaar and PAN details. An online trading account was subsequently created in his name. Between November 30 and December 20, the complainant transferred a total of Rs 11.5 lakh from his bank accounts to multiple beneficiary accounts, believing the money was being invested in shares and IPOs. The trading application later showed profits of nearly Rs 16 lakh, police said. However, when the victim attempted to withdraw the amount, the funds were not credited to his account. He was allegedly told that additional payments were required to “unlock” the withdrawal facility. Soon after, all WhatsApp numbers associated with the group stopped responding, prompting the official to suspect fraud. Realising he had been cheated, the complainant lodged an complaint with the national cyber helpline number 1930 on January 11. Based on the complaint, Eastern Cyber police registered a case under relevant Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Police officials said preliminary investigation indicates the use of fake trading platforms, mule bank accounts and WhatsApp-based grooming, a pattern increasingly observed in cyber investment scams targeting salaried professionals.
21 January,2026 08:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilThe Byculla police have registered an FIR against a father-daughter duo for allegedly cheating a 72-year-old woman of Rs 14.33 lakh by luring her into a fake high-return investment scheme involving Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC). According to the complainant, she first came in contact with the accused, Sunil Shivdutt Sharma, 53, in 2017 through a chartered accountant’s office. Sharma, a resident of Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai, allegedly convinced her to invest, promising extraordinarily high returns. On November 11, 2017, he allegedly called the victim to meet near Regal Restaurant in Byculla, where she handed him Rs 9 lakh in cash. The victim said that the promise of assured returns influenced her decision to invest. Police officials said that over the years, Sharma and his daughter, Sheeja Sunil Sharma, remained in contact with the victim and even showed her screenshots of fake profits, and forged documents, including Aadhaar, passport copies, and fabricated certificates, to build credibility. The complainant states she was repeatedly asked to pay “processing fees” and that she transferred money in multiple installments to the accused’s Federal Bank account. The total alleged loss stands at Rs 14,33,998. In 2022, Sheeja met with the victim in person at a hotel in Mumbai and claimed she was handling operations locally while her father worked from outside the city. When payments stopped and communication reduced, the complainant attempted to trace the accused in 2025 but found the Ghansoli address locked. The victim cited health issues in the family, emotional distress, and prolonged false assurances as reasons for the delay in filing the complaint. Sopan Kalad, senior police inspector at Byculla police station, confirmed that they have initiated an investigation. He said that the accused will be summoned by serving them notice after preliminary investigation. What is SBLC? SBLC (Standby Letter of Credit) is a banking instrument used mainly in large corporate or international trade transactions. It acts as a financial guarantee issued by a bank, assuring payment if one party defaults. Police speak Banks do not offer SBLCs as investment products to individuals. Fraudsters often misuse the term to make fake schemes sound sophisticated and legitimate, promising high and guaranteed returns to lure victims.
21 January,2026 08:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerA tense situation unfolded in Mahim on Tuesday morning after a 35-year-old man allegedly barged into a medical store, pointed an air gun at the chemist and threatened him over an old personal dispute. The chemist, however, showed presence of mind, stood his ground and managed to drive the man away. The accused was later traced and taken into custody by Mahim police, officials said. The incident occurred between 7.30 am and 7.45 am at A Plus Medical, Shop No 17, located in Om Sainath Society, opposite Al Saudi Hotel in Mahim West. According to police, the accused, identified as Saurabh Kumar Avinash Singh, 35, entered the shop with his face partially covered with a handkerchief, allegedly to conceal his identity. Police said Singh pulled out an air gun and threatened the chemist, triggering panic. Instead of panicking, the chemist confronted the accused and chased him out of the shop. “The chemist showed remarkable presence of mind and did not panic despite being threatened with what appeared to be a weapon. His resistance forced the accused to flee,” a senior police officer said. The confrontation, as captured by a CCTV camera, at the medical store in Mahim on Tuesday morning. Pic/By Special Arrangement Following the incident, the chemist approached the Mahim police station and lodged a formal complaint. Based on his statement, police registered a case and launched an immediate search operation. During the investigation, police found that the accused and the chemist were known to each other and had a prior dispute. “Preliminary inquiry suggests the act was motivated by personal enmity. The accused appears to have acted out of anger stemming from an old dispute,” the officer added. Using local intelligence and technical inputs, police traced Singh and detained him later the same day. The air gun allegedly used during the incident has been seized. No injuries were reported. However, it caused brief panic in the busy cloth market area, which witnesses heavy footfall during morning hours. Police are now verifying the sequence of events, examining CCTV footage and recording statements of witnesses. Mahim police have registered a case under Sections 115, 351(3) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 37(1) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. Further investigation is underway. “The accused has been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway,” said Mahendra Pandit, deputy commissioner of Police, Zone V. Is a licence required for an air gun? Under Indian law, air guns are generally exempt from mandatory firearm licensing, provided they fall within prescribed technical limits. As per rules framed under the Arms Act, air guns that operate using compressed air or gas and do not exceed specified muzzle energy and bore limits do not require a licence. However, police officials clarified that misuse of an air gun to threaten, intimidate or commit an offence is punishable, regardless of whether a licence is required. “Even if an air gun does not require a licence, using it to threaten someone amounts to a criminal offence,” an officer said. Authorities added that air guns resembling real firearms can cause panic in public places, and their use for intimidation may attract charges related to criminal intimidation, breach of peace and public safety.
21 January,2026 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilADVERTISEMENT
