Mumbai, In a shocking cybercrime, fraudsters allegedly placed a retired bank manager under “digital arrest” for 54 days in Mumbai’s Bhandup area, extorting Rs 40.90 lakh by threatening to implicate him in the Delhi bomb blasts and a money laundering case, Mumbai Police said on Wednesday.

According to Mumbai Police, the accused impersonated officers from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), creating an atmosphere of fear and psychological pressure that forced the victim to comply with their demands.

The victim, Rajendra, a former manager at the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank, was manipulated into transferring large sums of money, including liquidating his stock market investments.

The incident began on March 10, when Rajendra received a video call via the Signal app from an account named “ATS Department.” The caller introduced himself as PSI Singh, claiming to be an officer from the Delhi ATS. He alleged that Rajendra’s name had surfaced in connection with the Delhi bomb blasts that took place in January, as well as in a money laundering case.

The fraudsters further claimed that a bank account had been fraudulently opened in Karnataka using Rajendra’s Aadhaar details and mobile number, through which suspicious transactions amounting to Rs 2.65 crore had been carried out. To intensify the threat, they cited a purported Supreme Court order and warned of immediate arrest and confiscation of his assets.

Under constant surveillance via video calls, Rajendra was instructed to isolate himself in a separate room at home, avoid speaking to anyone, and strictly follow their directions. Acting under extreme mental duress, he initially transferred Rs 2.90 lakh. The fraud escalated when he was coerced into selling shares worth Rs 29 lakh from his stock market investments. Of this amount, Rs 28 lakh was siphoned off into multiple bank accounts controlled by the fraudsters.

The accused further extorted Rs 10 lakh under the pretext of “bail security,” which was arranged by the victim’s wife through a loan. The fraudsters assured Rajendra that the entire amount would be refunded within two days and that the case would be resolved.

However, soon after receiving the money, the accused cut off all communication. After waiting for several days without any response, Rajendra realised he had been duped.

He subsequently filed a complaint with the national cybercrime helpline 1930 on May 3, followed by a formal complaint with the Mumbai Cyber Cell on May 4. Police have launched an investigation to trace the perpetrators and identify the bank accounts used in the fraud.

Mumbai, Gold and silver traded higher on Wednesday, tracking weakness in oil prices and the dollar index, with both precious metals gaining up to 3 per cent.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures (June 5) opened at Rs 1,52,000 per 10 grams, up Rs 2,247 or 1.5 per cent from the previous close of Rs 1,49,753.

At 11:30 am, gold was trading at Rs 1,52,419, up Rs 2,666 or 1.78 per cent. So far in the session, the yellow metal has touched an intraday high of Rs 1,52,450, up Rs 2,697 or 1.8 per cent. At the intraday low, it was still trading higher by Rs 1,900 or 1.26 per cent at Rs 1,51,653.

Meanwhile, silver futures (July 3) opened at Rs 2,49,316 per kg — also the intraday low so far — a jump of Rs 5,000 or 2.04 per cent from the previous close. At the time of filing the report, it was trading at Rs 2,51,699, up Rs 7,383 or 3.02 per cent.

In the international market as well, precious metals were trading higher. COMEX gold was up 1.92 per cent at $4,656 per ounce, while silver gained 3.45 per cent to $76.12 per ounce.

Analysts said gold prices edged higher after recovering from a one-month low, supported by easing concerns over US-Iran tensions and some stability in oil prices.

However, elevated crude prices and expectations of a prolonged higher interest rate environment continue to cap gains in bullion, they added.

In addition, the dollar index slipped 0.34 per cent to 97.97. The dollar index measures the US dollar’s strength against a basket of six major currencies, the euro, Japanese yen, pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona and Swiss franc.

Typically, a weaker dollar supports prices of precious metals like gold and silver.

On Tuesday, international oil benchmark Brent crude fell 2.30 per cent to $107.33 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude declined 3 per cent to $99.12 per barrel.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi met state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and demanded special preparations for Eid-ul-Adha and tightening security arrangements for a peaceful Eid. He also demanded action against the communalists who are creating a disturbance in the peace. Azmi requested that a joint meeting of the administration, religious leaders and relevant organizations be held soon on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha so that all arrangements can be made in a proper manner. Azmi also demanded that special attention be paid to the problems arising in the transportation of animals and if there is any irregularity, action should be taken by the police and not by the anti-social elements and strict action should be taken against the absconding accused. The Chief Minister spoke to Police Commissioner Devin Bharti and directed him to take strict and immediate action in this matter. Azmi said that before Eid-ul-Adha, there should be a ban on the seizure of animals at check posts and violence against traders, theft, robbery and looting because animal traders are often targeted. Many times, traders are made victims of loot on their return. The police should be instructed to maintain law and order.