Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Retired Air Force Officer Targeted in Mumbai Digital Arrest Scam
A 63-year-old retired Air Force officer in Mumbai received calls from people pretending to be police officers.
They said he was connected to a serious money-laundering and terror-funding case.
The callers claimed that an account in his name had handled ₹2.55 crore.
They threatened to arrest him and told him not to share information with anyone.
They also sent him a fake document and asked to see his Aadhaar card.
Later, they asked about his bank accounts and money.
The man realized it was a scam and did not send any money.
He reported the callers to the police, who are investigating.
A 63-year-old retired Air Force officer in Sion was targeted by fraudsters posing as police and anti-terror officials.
The callers alleged that he was involved in a money-laundering and terror-funding case involving ₹2.55 crore.
Fraudsters claimed an ICICI Bank account in his name had processed the alleged transactions in January 2026.
They sent a purported NIA document, requested his Aadhaar details, and sought information about his bank accounts.
The officer refused to transfer money and reported the incident; police registered a case against unidentified accused persons.
- Who
- Shridhar Atmaram Bari, a 63-year-old retired Air Force officer from Sion, Mumbai, was targeted by unidentified fraudsters impersonating police and anti-terror officials.
- What
- The fraudsters allegedly attempted a digital-arrest scam by threatening Bari with arrest and seeking his personal and bank information, apparently to extort money.
- When
- The first call was received on August 2, 2026; the report is dated September 9, 2026. The alleged bank transactions were said to have occurred from January 1 to January 29, 2026.
- Where
- Bari lives in Pratiksha Nagar, Sion East, Mumbai; the callers referred to Palghar, Lucknow, and an alleged account in Hubballi-Dharwad, Karnataka.
- Why
- The callers allegedly claimed Bari was linked to money laundering and terror funding and sought information about his accounts and funds.
- Victim
- Shridhar Atmaram Bari, 63, a retired Air Force officer
- Location
- Pratiksha Nagar, Sion East, Mumbai
- Alleged amount
- ₹2.55 crore
- First reported call
- August 2, 2026
- Impersonated officials
- Police and Anti-Terrorist Squad officials
- Fraud methods
- Threats of arrest, WhatsApp video calls, forged documents, and requests for Aadhaar and bank details
- Police action
- A case was registered under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act, including Section 66(D), and applicable Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections