Mumbai: Mumbai Police, acting on a complaint from the Indian Navy, has uncovered a significant financial fraud amounting to ₹78 crore at the United Services Club in Colaba.

According to the FIR, the accused individuals opened seven fake bank accounts under the names of existing and former vendors associated with the club. A total of ₹77 crore was transferred into these fraudulent accounts.

The investigation revealed that the accused manipulated vendor records in the club’s computer system by adding the digit ‘1’ before their names (e.g., Rama Enterprises was altered to Rama Enterprises1).

The FIR details the fund distribution across the fraudulent accounts:

Rama Enterprises – ₹13.48 crore

Samruddhi Decorator – ₹14.56 crore

Shivam Enterprises – ₹5.65 crore

Supreme Caterers – ₹27.79 crore

Constructive Enterprises – ₹15.56 crore

Ratna Hanuk Padrayi – ₹24.90 lakh

Ravindra Gopal Chavan – ₹20.98 lakh

Additionally, ₹11 crore was allegedly transferred to Jyotirgamya Foundation in Thane. The FIR states that four fake accounts were opened in Borivali, one in Mira Road, and one in Cuffe Parade.

According to the FIR filed at Cuffe Parade Police Station, the mastermind behind the fraud is Bernadette Bharat Verma, the Deputy Finance Secretary at the defense department-run club. She is accused of opening these accounts to divert funds without detection.

The Indian Navy has alleged that Verma exploited the trust placed in her and engaged in systematic fraud. Also named in the FIR are Chartered Accountant Chandraprakash Pandey, who audited the club’s accounts, and Jyotirgamya Foundation. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is expected to summon the accused for questioning soon as the investigation progresses.