Mumbai: Serial Fraudster Targeting Devotees Outside Temples, Mosques Arrested; 30 Cases Detected

The Andheri Police Station have arrested a habitual offender who allegedly cheated elderly men and women outside temples and mosques on the pretext of offering donations. With this arrest, police have claimed to have solved as many as 30 cases. The action was carried out by the Crime Detection Unit of Andheri Police based on technical analysis.

According to police, the incident came to light on February 8, 2026, around 2:30 pm in the Andheri area. An unidentified man approached the complainant and asked for directions to a mosque, saying, “We have started a new gold shop and want to offer a donation.” After gaining the complainant’s trust, he handed over two ₹500 notes and requested the complainant’s one-tola gold chain, claiming he would touch it with flowers as part of a religious offering. He then fled the spot with the chain. A case was registered under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

During the investigation, police analysed CCTV footage, conducted technical surveillance and worked on confidential inputs. Based on these leads, the accused was apprehended from Ambivli in Kalyan East.

The arrested accused has been identified as Basim Abyas Siraj alias Wasim Jafri alias Wasim Irani (35), a resident of Ambivli. He was arrested on February 17, 2026, and has been remanded to judicial custody. Police have recovered a one-tola gold chain from his possession.

Police said the accused has multiple cases of theft and cheating registered against him in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Surat and Telangana. Several cases registered at Andheri, Trombay, MIDC, Vile Parle, Dahisar, Jogeshwari, Vanrai, Kurar and Meghwadi police stations have also been detected following his arrest.

According to officials, the accused was hiding in a rented accommodation in Kalyan and would flee towards Kalyan on a motorcycle after committing the crime. His modus operandi involved approaching elderly devotees near temples or mosques, holding flowers in his hand, and offering to bless their gold ornaments. He would take the chain under the pretext of placing flowers on it and cleverly replace it before escaping.

Senior officers of the Mumbai Police have appreciated the Andheri Police team for the successful operation. Further investigation is underway.