Mumbai: 19-Year-Old Nabbed for Rs 25 Lakh Gold Trader Impersonation Scam

The LT Marg police in south Mumbai have arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly posing as a city-based gold trader on WhatsApp and attempting to dupe another businessman of Rs 25 lakh. Police said the accused used the name and profile image of a well-known bullion merchant to appear authentic. The fraud attempt came to light on February 3 when a trader from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, received a suspicious call seeking urgent funds in the Mumbai trader’s name. Sensing something amiss, the Jodhpur-based businessman immediately contacted the real trader to verify the request.

The complainant, Lalit Kumar Jagawat, 61, who runs a bullion business in south Mumbai, confirmed that he had not sought any money. Acting swiftly, the two traders coordinated to expose the impersonator and prevent possible losses. Jagawat then devised a plan, asking the caller to collect the cash from a jewellery establishment in Zaveri Bazaar. At the same time, he alerted the shop’s staff and informed the local police to ensure the suspect could be caught red-handed without any money changing hands.

Later that evening, the accused arrived at the specified jewellery shop to collect the amount and was immediately detained by the staff and handed over to the LT Marg police. The suspect has been identified as Navneet Udaysingh, a resident of Kalbadevi. During initial interrogation, he claimed he was acting on instructions from others, whose roles are now under investigation. Police have registered a case under the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for impersonation and attempted cheating, suspecting the involvement of a wider racket targeting traders.