Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 30: A woman from Mumbai was allegedly cheated of nearly Rs 3.75 crore by a fraudster who posed as former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and conducted a fake virtual court hearing, police said.

According to investigators, the accused threatened the woman with implication in a money laundering case and claimed he could arrange her bail through a virtual hearing. Despite asserting her innocence, the woman was coerced into sharing details of her assets and investments.

Between August and October, the victim transferred Rs 3.75 crore to multiple bank accounts after being assured that the amount would be returned following an “audit”. When the promised refund did not materialise, she approached the police and lodged a complaint.

A probe led by Joint Commissioner of Police Lakhmi Gautam and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber) Purushottam Karad resulted in the arrest of 46-year-old Jitendra Biyani from Surat. Police said Biyani had allegedly used the defrauded money to fund other cyber frauds involving so-called “digital arrests”.

In one such case, an 86-year-old woman was allegedly kept under virtual detention for seven days and forced to pay Rs 1.1 crore. The fraudsters posed as police and Enforcement Directorate officials, sending fake arrest warrants and forged documents to intimidate victims.

Mumbai Police have cautioned citizens against falling prey to digital arrest and virtual court scams, clarifying that Indian law does not recognise such procedures. Officials urged people not to trust unknown calls, video calls or messages, and to avoid sharing personal or banking details without verification.

The police also highlighted tools launched by the central government, including the I4C database and Suspect Search, to help identify suspicious phone numbers, email IDs and UPI handles. Victims have been advised to immediately report cyber fraud through the National Cyber Crime Portal or by calling the 1930 helpline.