A Mumbai-based chartered accountant was allegedly defrauded of Rs 16.29 crore over nine years by an organised syndicate that used a fake US pilot training programme, fabricated emergencies and even a false FBI arrest story to extract money from him.
According to police, the victim, Herat Salot, was introduced to Shazia Sheikh through a former colleague in 2016. The accused initially sought financial help for charitable, educational and medical purposes.
Salot was later introduced to Aishwari Rane, who was allegedly presented as a woman stranded in the US after her father’s death and in need of money for pilot training. Trusting the claims, Salot began transferring funds.
Over the years, the demands reportedly expanded to include money for property purchases, medical emergencies and a Green Card application. In one instance, Salot was allegedly told that Rane had been arrested by the FBI and needed bail money. He reportedly handed over Rs 3.03 crore in cash for the purported bail.
In total, he paid around Rs 16.29 crore over a period of nine years.
The fraud came to light in 2025 when Salot contacted the US aviation institution directly. The institution reportedly confirmed that Rane had completed her course in 2018 and had no association with it after that.
Salot approached the police in December 2025, following which a case was registered against 25 people under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to cheating, forgery and other offences.
Police have so far arrested three accused, while 22 others remain absconding. The preliminary investigation has also indicated that the syndicate allegedly used similar methods to defraud at least three other people and was involved in making fake passports.
A manhunt is underway to trace the remaining accused.
