In a shocking case reported from Worli, a social worker was allegedly extorted of ₹4 lakh after being sent a fake “greeting letter” bearing the forged signature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, police said.
Acting on the complaint, the Mumbai Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act. Subsequently, the Crime Branch’s Anti-Extortion Cell arrested two accused — Tausif Hussain Ismail Patel and Siddhinath Dinanath Pandey alias Sunil, both residents of Shastrinagar in Goregaon. The duo, who work in advertising, have been remanded to police custody by a court.
According to the police, the complainant is a social worker who runs a private NGO involved in educational support for underprivileged children and assistance to old-age homes and orphanages. She had met Tausif and one Farnaz Wadia at a social event, following which they exchanged contact details.
On March 18, Tausif allegedly sent her a voice note asking if she wanted a greeting letter from the Prime Minister. When she ignored it, he followed up claiming the letter was genuine and issued directly from the Prime Minister’s Office, demanding ₹4 lakh in return.
On March 28, Farnaz Wadia reportedly sent the complainant a digital copy of the greeting letter, which carried birthday wishes in her name along with appreciation for her social work, purportedly from the Prime Minister. She was also advised to circulate it on social media, which she initially did. However, her associates later verified the document and found it to be fake, prompting her to delete it.
On March 30, the accused again contacted her demanding payment. The complainant then agreed to meet them in person and, along with an associate, visited a hotel in Worli. During the meeting, the accused allegedly claimed the original letter would be delivered via courier after payment and insisted it was authentic, even claiming links within the Prime Minister’s Office.
Suspecting fraud, the complainant approached the Worli Police, who laid a trap. On Saturday, the accused arrived at a hotel in Worli to collect the extortion money, where they were caught red-handed and arrested.
During interrogation, both accused confessed to the crime. Police have recovered a framed fake greeting letter dated March 20, 2026, along with two mobile phones from their possession.
Investigators suspect the accused may have targeted others using similar forged letters in the name of the Prime Minister. The probe has revealed the use of fake email IDs and forged signatures resembling official communication from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Police are now probing the origin of the forged documents and the role of Farnaz Wadia and other possible accomplices. A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the remaining accused.