The South Cyber Police have arrested a 29‑year‑old Sakinaka resident, Mohammad Kalim Akbar Ali Khan, in a sweeping action against online financial crime. Investigators say Khan’s bank account has surfaced in 51 different cyber‑fraud complaints filed across the country and shows transactions amounting to several crores of rupees.
According to detectives, Khan’s account appeared seven times in the first layer and 31 times in the second layer of money‑laundering chains used by scam operators, indicating that it was a recurring conduit for shuffling illicit proceeds between shell accounts. Both the North and East Cyber Police divisions had already flagged the same account during separate probes.
Khan was booked on charges of cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust and violations of the Information Technology Act. Officers allege that INR 5 lakh linked to one case was channelled through Maxmore Payment Digitech Pvt. Ltd., a company registered in his name. Investigating officer Nandkumar Gopale said preliminary evidence shows Khan “actively received and moved fraudulently obtained funds.”
Retired businessman duped
The current investigation began after a retired businessman from Malabar Hill reported losing nearly INR 5.4 crore to a bogus trading application called Golden Bridge Investment Group (earlier branded “GEWE”). The victim told police he met a woman using the name Akriti Desai on the dating platform Topface in July 2024. Claiming to be a prosperous entrepreneur from Noida, she persuaded him over WhatsApp to place money in what she described as a high‑yield stock‑investment platform.
The complainant injected funds between July 2024 and February 2025 and even received an apparent “return” of INR 20 lakh. His suspicions were aroused only when he tried to withdraw the full amount and was informed he first had to pay 30 percent in taxes and fees on fictitious profits of INR 80 crore.
Armed with chat logs, bank records and screenshots—including a photograph of a woman identifying herself as Pari Patel—the businessman filed a report through the national cyber‑fraud helpline 1930. Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade confirmed that Desai, several bank‑account holders and other unknown persons have been named as co‑conspirators.
Wider syndicate suspected
Officers have seized electronic devices and banking documents while they trace additional suspects. Investigators believe the laundering network spans multiple Indian cities and could have international links. Further arrests are expected as forensic analysis of the seized data continues.
The South Cyber Police have reiterated their warning to the public: exercise extreme caution with online investment offers—especially those promoted through social media or dating apps—and verify the legitimacy of any platform before transferring funds.
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