Mumbai: The Mumbai police on Monday said that over 10848 have approached the Mumbai police for cheating to the tune of Rs 117.63 crores. Besides it claimed that the Ukrain national Armen Ataine had lied to agencies that he is an Indian national.

The Mumbai police on Monday sought judicial custody of Ataine and another accused Mohammad Taufic Riyaz alias John Carter, claiming that they would further approach the court for their custodial interrogation when mastermind of the fraud is arrested.

In its plea, the police claimed that during the probe it was revealed that Ataine had made a false statement about being an Indian National.

Meanwhile, police claimed that during the questioning Ataine was askes about his residence. In his reply to police stated that he was Indian and went on to submit his birth certificate, Aadhaar card, driving license, etc.

The police claimed that they suspected his claims as to his birth certificate, as it was mentioned that the said certificate was issued by the F Ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Upon verification, it turned out to be false police said. Hence it is now reported to concern police station for further proceedings.

In the meanwhile, it was claimed that Ataine had stayed at a hotel in Malad, where he submitted his original passport details. Police has also taken those records as evidence.

Further, the police claimed that during the investigation, Carter had told the investigating agency that, he used to work at his friend Imtiyaz's e-service shop. There, he did work such as making PAN cards, filling passport forms, and issuing marriage certificates. In August 2022, Attaine, came to him to get a PAN card made.

Carter has in his questioning revealed thatv it was Ataine who had introduced him to other Ukrainian nationals to help them prepare their documents. He had introduced the other Ukrainian nationals and asked him to help them to set up jewelry business in the city by preparing requisite documents.