Mumbai: In a major crackdown on cyber fraud, the Mumbai Police has uncovered a new and dangerous modus operandi in which fraudsters routed stolen money through multiple bank accounts before converting it into cash via petrol pumps. The Sir JJ Marg Police Station has arrested one accused  in connection with the case.

The arrested accused has been identified as Rahul Kumar Shaitanmal Sen (23), a resident of Pali in Rajasthan. According to police, Sen worked as a cash conversion agent and facilitated the transfer of fraud money into fake bank accounts through petrol pumps in exchange for commission.

Police said that apart from Sen, several others  Aftab Imran Sayyed (22), Mohammed Shadab Ashfaq Khan (25), Abdul Qadir Allauddin (40), Amit Subhashchandra Mishra (34), and Sanoj alias Pintu Singh (38) — were detained and later released after being served notices.

Commission-Based Network: Investigations revealed that the racket operated through a well-organized, commission-based network. Different members were assigned specific roles  some arranged fake or rented bank accounts, others handled the layering of funds across multiple accounts, while a few managed cash operations at petrol pumps. Each member was paid a commission, ensuring the smooth functioning of the network.

Petrol Pump Cash-Out: Police said the gang first obtained money through online fraud. The funds were then routed through multiple bank accounts to obscure their origin. Eventually, the money was transferred to petrol pump accounts, where it was converted into cash.

At the petrol pumps, gang members would collect cash from customers and deposit an equivalent amount into bank accounts. While the transactions appeared legitimate on the surface, they were actually used to launder cyber fraud proceeds and convert them into cash.

During interrogation, Sen admitted that he played a key role in converting digital money into cash and forwarding it within the network for commission. Police recovered ₹47,000 in cash, multiple mobile phones, and crucial banking transaction records from his possession. Analysis of his mobile devices revealed contacts with other accused, pointing to a wider network.

Funds Frozen, Wider Links Suspected:  Police have frozen ₹74,000 across various bank accounts as part of the investigation. Officials suspect that the racket may have links to other cities and states.

The fraud came to light through technical analysis of bank transactions and digital evidence. Police are now probing further to identify the mastermind and trace other members involved in the operation.

Bhiwandi: In a significant breakthrough against the rising menace of vehicle theft, the Crime Branch Unit-II of Bhiwandi Police has busted an organized gang involved in stealing two-wheelers across the city and adjoining rural areas. Acting on a specific Tip-Off police arrested three habitual offenders and recovered as many as 58 stolen motorcycles collectively valued at ₹10.60 lakh leading to the detection of 41 theft cases.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Amarsingh Jadhav the operation was carried out following confidential information received by Police Havaldar Shabir Shaikh. Based on the intelligence input a targeted trap was laid leading to the arrest of the accused.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Ganesh alias Ganu Raju More (21) Sahebaali alias Chhotu Sultan Ali Shaikh (19) and Sunil alias Bala Shankar Rathod (20).

During interrogation it was revealed that Ganesh More a garage mechanic by profession, possessed the technical expertise to start motorcycles that lacked proper handle locks, making them easy targets.

The accused would specifically scout for two-wheelers parked without handle locks. After stealing them the vehicles were transported and sold in different districts across Maharashtra for quick financial gain DCP Amarsingh Jadhav stated.

Police officials further revealed that the gang had been active for several years and had confessed to multiple thefts during sustained interrogation. The recovery of 58 motorcycles marks one of the largest seizures in recent times in the region.

Authorities believe that more cases could be linked to this gang, and further investigation is underway to identify additional accomplices and recover more stolen property.

The crackdown has brought relief to residents who had been grappling with a spike in vehicle thefts, while police have reiterated their appeal to citizens to ensure proper locking mechanisms to prevent such crimes.

Navi Mumbai: In a major breakthrough, Kharghar Police have arrested a 24-year-old man accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old minor girl and impregnating her, after tracking him down near the India-Nepal border. The accused, identified as Vishal Babu alias Anwar Ali Imtiaz Ansari, had been on the run since the case was registered earlier this month. A court has remanded him to police custody till April 1.

According to police, the accused worked at ‘Jagdish Autoparts’ garage in Kharghar, where he allegedly lured the minor to the premises in October 2025 and raped her. He continued to sexually assault her multiple times, threatening to kill her if she disclosed the incidents. The crime came to light after the girl was found to be pregnant.

Following a complaint lodged by the victim’s parents on March 7 at Kharghar Police Station, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023), including Sections 65(1) and 351 (3), along with Sections 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 of the POCSO Act, 2012.

However, the accused fled Kharghar soon after sensing police action and escaped to his native place in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. Acting under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Joshi, a team led by Police Sub-Inspector Suraj Jadhav camped in Uttar Pradesh to trace him. The accused had switched off his mobile phone, creating hurdles in the technical investigation.

“We faced significant challenges due to the ongoing Ramzan period and lack of cooperation from the accused’s relatives. However, after taking them into confidence, the we carried out a continuous 13-day search operation across Kushinagar, Gorakhpur, and areas along the Nepal border,” a police officer said.

Finally, on March 25, the police apprehended Vishal Babu near the Nepal border. He was subsequently brought to Navi Mumbai on transit remand. The operation was carried out by PSI Suraj Jadhav, along with Police Naik Khedkar and Constable Kadam, under the supervision of Senior Inspector Sanjay Joshi.