Nashik: A 68-year-old retired assistant sub-inspector from Nashik allegedly lost Rs 71 lakh after cyber fraudsters impersonating Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials threatened to implicate him in a terrorism-linked case and a Rs 70-crore money-laundering investigation.
According to the police, the fraudsters kept the victim under so-called digital arrest for nearly 20 days, from September 28 to October 17, 2026. They allegedly claimed that his Aadhaar card had been recovered from a terrorist arrested in Kashmir and used to open a bank account through which Rs 70 crore was laundered.
The fraud began when a woman identifying herself as Inspector Sima Roy contacted him, claiming to represent the ATS headquarters in Mumbai. After asking whether he had visited Kashmir, she allegedly told him that his identity documents had been found with a terrorist and that he would need to cooperate with investigators.
About an hour later, a man identifying himself as Vikram Singh appeared in a WhatsApp video call wearing a police uniform. He allegedly told the victim that the NIA chief had approved a preliminary inquiry into his assets. The callers questioned him about his family, savings and investments while threatening arrest and property seizure.
Between October 5 and October 13, the victim transferred Rs 41 lakh, Rs 25 lakh and Rs 5 lakh in three separate transactions to bank accounts supplied by the fraudsters. They allegedly instructed him not to leave his home during the investigation.
After the callers stopped responding following the final transfer, the victim realised he had been cheated. He approached the Nashik City Cyber Police on October 17 and lodged a complaint.
Police said the suspects also used the names Rakesh Agarwal and communicated through Signal. Investigators have registered a case and written to the banks concerned, awaiting responses as the investigation continues.
