Mumbai: An 86-year-old woman from Mumbai fell prey in yet another case of cyber fraud related to Aadhar card as scammers posing as police officials convinced her that her Aadhar card was being misused indulging in various illegal activities and put her in a fake 'digital arrest' while managing to dupe woman of Rs 20.25 crore.

Unfolding Of Fraud

The fraud began when she got a call from an individual pretending to be a police officer. The scammers informed the woman that her Aadhar card information and other personal information had been used to create a new bank account which was involved in several unlawful activities, including money laundering.

The scammers threatened the woman of legal action targeting her and her family, including her daughter, stating that the only way to settle the case was for her to transfer all her money to different bank accounts to clear her name from the case. During the torment, she was directed to stay in a state of 'digital arrest' and refrain from telling anyone about what was happening.

The victim recognized the fraud and informed the police, who quickly initiated an investigation. The authorities have allegedly monitored the transactions and have arrested the fraudsters. The inquiry is still in progress.

Ongoing Investigation

The cyber police from the Mumbai Crime Branch apprehended two individuals for supposedly intimidating an 86-year-old woman from South Mumbai by threatening to register a money laundering case against her and her children, and extorting more than Rs 20 crore.

Two Arrested In Aadhar Misuse Fraud

The police stated that the suspect even asserted to have digitally detained her in her home to coerce her into sending the money. Police officials report that the two individuals taken into custody are Shayan Jamil Sheikh, a resident of Malad (West), and Rajik Azam Butt, who lives in Mira Road (East) both 20 years old.

Police alleges that Rajik Azam Butt might be part of a bigger international scam, as it has come to light that he formed a group of 13 foreign individuals on the messaging platform Telegram, through which he allegedly disseminated information regarding Indian bank accounts to enable further fraudulent schemes, according to a report by The Indian Express.

The police indicated that the fraud of Rs 20.25 crore occurred between December 26, 2024, and March 3, 2025. Officials mentioned that the suspects, impersonating police officers, initially contacted the 86-year-old woman by the end of last year.