Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Mumbai Digital Arrest Scam Linked to Hong Kong, China, Indonesia
Imagine someone called you pretending to be a police officer or from a government agency and said you were in trouble.
They tricked a 72-year-old man in Mumbai into believing he was accused of a crime.
Using threats during a long video call, they convinced him to send them a lot of money, totaling 58 crore rupees.
The police found out that this wasn't just one bad person but a whole group operating across India and even in other countries like China and Hong Kong.
They took the money and quickly changed it into digital money called cryptocurrency to send it far away.
The police have caught 26 people so far and are working to get more information from other countries to stop these scammers.
Maharashtra Cyber Police have uncovered a Rs 58 crore digital arrest scam with international links to Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia.
A 72-year-old Mumbai businessman was defrauded of Rs 58 crore by fraudsters posing as ED and CBI officials.
The scam involved intimidating victims via video calls and transferring funds through commission-based bank accounts.
Looted money was converted into cryptocurrency and routed to foreign wallets, making tracking difficult.
26 people have been arrested in connection with the scam, which is believed to be part of a larger network worth nearly Rs 2,000 crore.
- Who
- Maharashtra Cyber Police, 72-year-old Mumbai-based businessman, 26 arrested individuals, fraudsters posing as ED and CBI officials.
- What
- Uncovered an international digital arrest scam totaling Rs 58 crore, linked to Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia. The scam involved defrauding victims by posing as law enforcement officials.
- When
- Scam occurred recently; the network has been active for over a year; 26 arrests made.
- Where
- Mumbai (victim's location), with money trails leading to Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia.
- Why
- To illicitly obtain money from victims by impersonating government officials and exploiting fear and manipulation.
Maharashtra Cyber Police/Investigators
Scammers/Accused
Victimization and Fraud Amount
Maharashtra Cyber Police/Investigators
A 72-year-old Mumbai businessman was defrauded of Rs 58 crore by fraudsters posing as ED and CBI officials through a fake digital arrest scheme. This case is part of a larger network of online frauds worth nearly Rs 2,000 crore.
Scammers/Accused
The article does not contain any statements from the accused denying the victim's account or the amount defrauded.
International Links and Modus Operandi
Maharashtra Cyber Police/Investigators
The money trail for the Rs 58 crore scam has been traced to Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia. Scammers used commission-based bank accounts (often 'mule' accounts opened with fake identities) as collection points, then converted the funds into cryptocurrency and routed them to foreign wallets. This network has been active for over a year.
Scammers/Accused
No direct statement from the accused is provided to counter the claims about the international links, the use of commission-based accounts, or the cryptocurrency conversion.
Law Enforcement Actions
Maharashtra Cyber Police/Investigators
Maharashtra Cyber Police have arrested 26 people, frozen 'mule' bank accounts, and initiated requests for data from foreign agencies in Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia. They are investigating the use of IP addresses and exchange details linked to these countries.
Scammers/Accused
The article does not include any statements from the arrested individuals or their representatives regarding the charges or the investigation.
- Fraud Amount
- Rs 58 crore
- Victim Profile
- 72-year-old Mumbai-based businessman
- Scammer Persona
- Fraudsters posing as Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI officials
- Modus Operandi
- Fake digital arrest; threats and manipulation via video call; transfer of funds to commission-based bank accounts; conversion to cryptocurrency; routing to foreign wallets.
- International Links
- Hong Kong, China, Indonesia
- Total Network Fraud Value (Alleged)
- Nearly Rs 2,000 crore
- Arrested Individuals
- 26 people
- Investigating Agency
- Maharashtra Cyber Police
Sources
Fake Investment, Digital Arrest Scams: How Bengal Industrialist 'Cheated' 1,000 Victims Of Rs 300 Crore
Industrialist Pawan Kumar Ruia under Bengal police lens in Rs 315 crore cyber scam
Bengal industrialist, family members under scanner for Rs 300 crore cybercrime
‘Rs 317 crore cyber fraud racket’ busted: Industrialist Pawan Ruia-linked premises raided by Bengal police, after trail from 2024 cheating case
