Thane Police Arrests Trio Linked to International Fraud Scheme Targeting Elderly Woman

Fraudulent Scheme Uncovered in Thane

In Thane, Maharashtra, law enforcement has apprehended three individuals allegedly connected to an international fraud ring that swindled over ₹3 crore from an elderly woman. Authorities disclosed this information on Sunday.

According to police reports, the 61-year-old victim received a call on August 13, 2024, from someone claiming to be an employee of a courier service.

The scammer informed her that a parcel containing a laptop, 140 grams of MD (narcotic) powder, a passport from Thailand, three credit cards, and four kilograms of clothing had been seized.

Shortly after, another caller, posing as a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer, contacted her to verify her identity.

The police revealed that the fraudster presented fake documents and coerced the woman into transferring money to various accounts under the pretense of a 'digital arrest.'

As a result, the victim transferred a total of ₹3.04 crore to two different accounts at nationalized banks.

Thane's Deputy Commissioner of Police, Parag Manere, stated, 'The accused gained the victim's trust by impersonating high-ranking officials.'

On September 13, 2024, a case was registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 318(4) (fraud), 316(5) (breach of trust), 336(3) (cheating), and 340(2) (using forged documents), along with relevant sections of the Information Technology Act.

An extensive investigation by Thane's cyber police linked this fraud to an international gang. Authorities noted that the accused transferred ₹82.46 lakh of the extorted money abroad, allegedly converting it into US dollars.

Based on the investigation, three suspects were arrested on June 19, identified as Kishore Bansilal Jain (63), president of a cooperative credit institution in Mumbai, Mahesh Pawan Kothari (36), involved in textiles and jewelry, and Dhaval Santosh Bhalerav (26), associated with the cosmetics business.

Manere added, 'The accused meticulously crafted an elaborate story to mislead the victim.'