In a shocking case of cyber fraud, an 80-year-old retired Merchant Navy radio engineer was allegedly cheated out of ₹1.68 crore by unidentified cyber criminals who posed as officials from the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED). The incident came to light in the Grant Road area of Mumbai.
The South Regional Cyber Cell has registered a case against unidentified persons using the names Shiva Prasad, Nikita Pant, and Navjot Simi for impersonation, cheating, and offences under the Information Technology Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Preliminary investigations revealed that the fraudsters threatened the victim with arrest, falsely claiming that a debit card issued in his name had been recovered from a terrorist and was linked to money laundering transactions.
According to police, the complainant is an 80-year-old resident of South Mumbai who retired from the Merchant Navy in 2001 after serving for nearly 30 years. On March 23, while at his residence, he received a call from a man identifying himself as Shiva Prasad, who claimed to be speaking from Ashok Nagar Police Station in Bengaluru.
The caller alleged that a suspected terrorist named Salakat Khan had been arrested and that police had recovered a debit card in the victim's name from him. He further claimed that the account linked to the card had been used for large-scale money laundering activities and that money had been transferred to the alleged terrorist from the same account. The caller informed him that a case was being processed and that further investigation was being handled by a Special Investigation Team comprising CBI officers Navjot Simi and Nikita Pant.
Soon after, another caller identifying herself as Nikita Pant contacted the victim and claimed to be a senior ED official. She allegedly informed him that evidence had surfaced indicating his involvement in the case and warned him that police action and arrest would follow if he failed to cooperate with the investigation.
Police said the elderly victim became extremely frightened after receiving the threats. During a video call, the fraudsters allegedly informed him that he was under 24-hour surveillance and would not be allowed to go anywhere or contact anyone. They then began collecting details of his bank accounts, mutual fund investments, stock market holdings, and other financial assets.
The victim reportedly shared all the requested information and remained under severe mental stress as he was instructed to continue his routine activities while remaining in constant communication with the fraudsters.
The following day, a person posing as CBI officer Navjot Simi allegedly contacted him and subjected him to online interrogation sessions lasting two to three hours daily. The fraudsters convinced him that if he wanted to clear his name, he would have to deposit money from his bank accounts, mutual funds, fixed deposits, and stock market investments with the court. They assured him that the amount would be returned with interest after the inquiry was completed.
Believing the claims, the victim transferred ₹1.68 crore in multiple RTGS transactions between March and May 2026. However, after the payments were made, the so-called investigation abruptly stopped. Despite repeated assurances that the money would be refunded with interest, no amount was returned.
The fraud came to light after the victim discussed the matter with an acquaintance, who suspected cyber fraud and advised him to approach the police.
Following a complaint to the cyber helpline and the South Regional Cyber Cell, police conducted a preliminary verification and registered a case against the unidentified accused. Investigators are currently tracing the bank accounts where the money was transferred and gathering details of the account holders.
Police have launched a special operation to identify and arrest the accused involved in the case.