3 weeks ago
Mumbai Firm Loses ₹1.98 Crore in WhatsApp Director Impersonation Scam
A man who works in Mumbai helps his company manage its money.
One day he got a WhatsApp message from a number he did not know.
The message said it was from his boss, the company director, and showed his boss's photo.
It asked him to save the new phone number.
The next day, the same number messaged again.
It said the company needed to pay a client ₹1.98 crore right away.
The man trusted the message and sent the money from the company's bank account.
Soon after, the real boss called and asked about the payment.
That is when the man realized he had been tricked by a scammer.
He reported it to the cyber crime helpline, and a police case was registered.
Fraudsters posing as a company director on WhatsApp duped Mumbai-based Oriental Foundry Pvt. Ltd. of ₹1.98 crore.
A 48-year-old General Manager (Accounts & Banking Administrator), a resident of Kurla (West), received a WhatsApp message from +91 8505998637 claiming it was the director's new contact number.
The scam used the director's name and profile photograph to make an urgent client payment request of ₹1.98 crore look genuine.
The manager transferred ₹1,98,00,000 from the company's ICICI Bank current account to the account of Rajput Enterprises Maltipal at the Berasai Branch.
The real director called to enquire about the debit; the complainant then realized the fraud and registered a case with the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930).
- Who
- A 48-year-old General Manager (Accounts & Banking Administrator) at Oriental Foundry Pvt. Ltd., who reports to director Saleh N. Mithiborwala.
- What
- The manager was duped of ₹1.98 crore by fraudsters who impersonated the company director on WhatsApp and instructed an urgent fund transfer.
- Where
- Mumbai, India — the company is located at Grant Road and the complainant resides in Kurla (West).
- When
- The fake 'new number' message arrived on August 4, 2026; the transfer was made the following day, and the FIR was reported by August 6, 2026.
- Why
- Because the fraudsters used the director's name and profile photograph to make the urgent payment request appear genuine.
Key facts
- Loss Amount
- ₹1.98 crore (₹1,98,00,000)
- Victim Company
- Oriental Foundry Pvt. Ltd., Grant Road, Mumbai
- Victim's Role
- General Manager – Accounts & Banking Administrator (48 years old, 28 years with the company)
- Impersonated Person
- Director Saleh N. Mithiborwala
- Fraudulent Phone Number
- +91 8505998637
- Beneficiary Account
- Rajput Enterprises Maltipal, Berasai Branch
- Source Account
- Company's ICICI Bank current account
- Complaint Filed With
- National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930)
Quotes
Fraudster posing as Saleh N. Mithiborwala
Impersonated company director
“Dear Accounts Department, Please note that this is my new contact number. Kindly update your records accordingly. Regards, SALEH N. MITHIBORWALA.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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