Mumbai: Cyber Police have arrested a father-son duo for allegedly cheating a 55-year-old businessman of ₹26 lakh by falsely implicating him in a case linked to the Pulwama attackers, according to reports.
The complainant received a phone call on August 27 from a person posing as a CID official. The caller allegedly claimed that individuals linked to the Pulwama attack were misusing Aadhaar cards to conduct a multi-crore fraud and that the businessman’s identity documents had also been used.
The fraudster further alleged that online transactions worth ₹7 crore had taken place through a bank account linked to the complainant’s Aadhaar number. Although the businessman denied the allegations, he was threatened with arrest and criminal proceedings.
The accused then initiated what they described as an investigation through a video call. During the interaction, the businessman was pressured into disclosing details about his assets, bank accounts and gold holdings.
The fraudsters subsequently instructed him to melt his gold and transfer the proceeds to a bank account, allegedly assuring him that the money would be returned after the inquiry was completed.
The businessman reportedly said he had mortgaged his gold and could arrange ₹26 lakh, which he transferred as instructed. However, the promised refund never materialised, and the callers stopped communicating with him.
Following a complaint, Mumbai Cyber Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and traced the beneficiary bank account. Investigators subsequently arrested the father-son duo allegedly linked to the account that received the money.
The case highlights how cybercriminals exploit fear of arrest and fabricated links to serious criminal investigations to manipulate victims into transferring money. Authorities advise people to remain cautious of callers impersonating law enforcement officials and to verify such claims through official channels.
