NAVI MUMBAI: A message that appeared to come from a company owner allegedly led employees to transfer ₹62 lakh to a fraudster, prompting Navi Mumbai Cyber Police to arrest a man from Kerala. Investigators are also examining possible links between the accused’s bank account and six other cyber fraud complaints registered in different states.
The accused, identified as Shameer TP, a resident of Kannur in Kerala, allegedly impersonated a company owner and contacted employees with requests to transfer money into his account. The suspected fraud took place between August 19 and 31, 2026, according to details of the investigation.
Police launched an investigation after a complaint was filed and began examining the financial transactions linked to the alleged fraud. Their inquiry led them to an IndusInd Bank account in which ₹32 lakh of the suspected proceeds had reportedly been deposited.
By analysing the account’s transactions, investigators traced the money trail to Kannur. A police team subsequently travelled to Kerala and arrested Shameer on October 3.
The accused is being questioned as investigators attempt to establish his precise role in the alleged fraud and determine what happened to the remaining amount. Police are also examining other bank accounts, mobile numbers and financial transactions that may be connected to the case.
During the probe, officials found that the accused’s bank account had allegedly received funds associated with six additional cyber fraud complaints from different states. Investigators are now working to establish whether these transactions point to a wider network or separate instances of fraud involving the same account.
The case highlights how cybercriminals can exploit workplace trust by posing as senior officials and using familiar communication channels to persuade employees to transfer money. Messages that appear to come from a company owner or senior executive can create a false sense of urgency, making it easier for employees to act without independently verifying the request.
The investigation is ongoing, with police attempting to trace the remaining funds, establish the extent of the alleged operation and identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
