Archive · 12 Jan 2026
Court Rejects Bail in ₹58.13-Crore Cyber Fraud Case
A man named Michael Mascarence was tricked by fraudsters who pretended to be officials.
They told him he was in trouble and needed to pay money to avoid being arrested.
He gave them ₹58.13 crore.
Later, he realized it was a scam and reported it to the police.
The court decided to keep the accused in jail because they might run away or hide evidence.
This type of scam is called a 'digital arrest' scam, where fraudsters scare people into giving them money.
The sessions court rejected bail for eight accused and denied anticipatory bail to one more in a ₹58.13-crore cyber fraud case.
The victim, Michael Mascarence, was scammed through a 'digital arrest' scheme where fraudsters impersonated TRAI and police officials.
Fraudsters convinced the victim to transfer money by threatening legal action and arrest.
The court noted that the accused allowed others to operate their bank accounts and that a significant amount of money remains untraced.
The victim reported the scam to the cybercrime police after realizing it was a fraud.
- Who
- Michael Mascarence, a former vice president and consultant at Zuventus Health Care Ltd
- What
- A cyber fraud case involving 'digital arrest' scam
- When
- Between July 28 and August 18, 2025, with the fraud executed on August 19, 2025
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- Why
- Fraudsters impersonated officials to extort money under the threat of arrest and legal action
- Victim
- Michael Mascarence
- Amount Scammed
- ₹58.13 crore
- Date of Fraud
- August 2025
- Location
- Mumbai, India
- Accused
- 9 individuals
- Bail Decision
- Rejected
- Scam Type
- Digital arrest
- Main Culprits
- Impersonated TRAI and police officials
Sources
Mumbai: Sessions Court Rejects Bail Of 9 Accused In ₹58.13-Crore 'Digital Arrest' Cyber Fraud Case
Lost over Rs 14cr to digital arrest scam: How an elderly NRI couple in Delhi was duped for weeks
