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Navi Mumbai News: Raigad Police Bust Digital Arrest Racket Spanning 6 Countries, 11 Arrested

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Navi Mumbai: Investigations into a complaint of a ‘digital arrest’ scam in Raigad has now been found to be linked with an international cybercrime syndicate operating across India, Nepal, Pakistan, Canada, China, and Bangladesh. Acting on a complaint filed in May, the Raigad Cyber Police have arrested 11 individuals, including tech-savvy masterminds, telecom insiders, and marketing agents.

The investigation started after a local citizen reported receiving a threatening video call on May 5 from someone posing as an official from the Telecom Authority of India. The victim was told that his identity had been misused for illegal transactions and that a Supreme Court arrest warrant was issued against him. To ‘settle’ the matter, he was forced to transfer Rs 66 lakh in multiple installments. The fraud was cleverly masked as a ‘digital arrest’.

“What appeared to be a standalone scam quickly revealed deeper layers. The Raigad Cyber police station found that the scam was just the tip of a pan-India and cross-border telecom exploitation operation run using forged company documents, SIP lines, and cloud-based calling servers,” Raigad Superintendent of Police Anchal Dalal said.

Abhay Santprakash Mishra, (29), a B.Tech Computer Science graduate from Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh was found to be the mastermind. Mishra managed a network of five high-capacity telecom servers that placed over 62 lakh spoofed calls in 28 days, including 86,910 targeting Maharashtra alone.

Mishra was found to be in constant digital communication with foreign nationals from Pakistan, Canada, Nepal, Bangladesh, and China, discussing the setup of SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) lines, a telecom technology that allows voice and video communication over the internet — often without requiring user-level identification.

Using the alias ‘Alex,’ Mishra conducted encrypted conversations via Microsoft Teams, discussing fraud operations, lease line acquisitions, and telecom routing with international collaborators. “He was also preparing forged documentation to obtain permanent residency in Nepal,” Dalal said. Authorities have also identified properties linked to him in Nepal, Noida, and Hardoi, along with Rs 85 lakh in Bitcoin, as proceeds of crime.

Police found that the gang had created fake companies such as Nivi Cloud Pvt Ltd, Credil Info Pvt Ltd, Oxydeal, and others. These companies existed only on paper — supported by fraudulent documents, forged rubber stamps, and complicit telecom sales executives.

Two Jio Sales Managers, Balmori Vinaykumar Rao and Gangadhar Gangaram Muttan, played a crucial role by accepting these fake documents via WhatsApp, signing off as company directors, and approving telecom SIP lines. These telecom lines were then used to make fake calls in the guise of CBI, ED, police, and other agencies.

Police also arrested Mohsin Mia Khan (35) from Delhi, who possessed over 6,175 SIM cards from providers like Jio, Airtel, BSNL, VI, Idea, and 13 foreign numbers — along with 26 mobile handsets. These SIM cards were being used to rotate identities, mask call origins, and bypass traceability.

The network involved a team of document forgers identified as Abdus Salam Barbhuyan, Nadeem Ahmed, Lairab Khan, Shadan Khan, and Mohammad Faisal Khan, all of whom played roles in setting up fake firms and laundering funds. Fake bank accounts, dummy directors, and proxy communications were used to route money, with over 112 bank accounts identified and Rs 66 lakh frozen so far.

Shams Tahir Khan, an MBA graduate from Rajasthan, acted as the SIP marketing conduit, onboarding international players and travelling with Mishra to Nepal, which is emerging as a safe haven for such cyber operators due to weak extradition oversight, said police.

Authorities have invoked multiple charges under IPC Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B, the Telegraph Act, and the IT Act. Assets across multiple states and countries are now under seizure proceedings.

Raigad SP Aanchal Dalal, who led the investigation, warned that ‘digital arrest’ is a fake concept. “Neither the CBI, ED, nor the Police call citizens through WhatsApp or ask for money to avoid legal action. Citizens are urged to immediately report such incidents to the Cyber Helpline 1930, 1945, or 14407, or visit the nearest police station,” she added.

Further investigations into the crime is being conducted by SP Dalal and Additional Superintendent of Police, Abhijit Shivthare, Inspector Rizwana Nadaf, Assistant Police Inspector Amol Jadhav, ASI Mohite, PN Tushar Gharat, PN Rahul Patil, PN Rajiv Zinjurte, PC Gurav, LHC Suchita Patil and LHC Puja Patil.

Crime

Minor Scratch On Two-Wheeler Snowballs Into Violent Youth Brawl At Telephone Exchange Chowk In Nagpur

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Nagpur: A shocking late-night clash at Telephone Exchange Chowk in Nagpur has come to light after a video of the incident surfaced online, showing two groups of youths brutally attacking each other following a minor dispute over a scratch on a two-wheeler.

The incident took place around 11 pm on Monday when two groups of young men, who were allegedly under the influence of alcohol, were on their way to a Savji hotel for dinner. The situation reportedly spiralled out of control after one group allegedly scratched the bike of the other, triggering a heated argument.

What initially began as a verbal spat soon turned into a violent street brawl. The visuals circulating online show members of both groups exchanging blows in the middle of the road, with the fight quickly intensifying. In the video, youths can be seen raining kicks and punches on each other, while also using sticks and whatever objects they could find nearby to attack their rivals.

The ferocity of the clash is evident in the footage, which shows complete chaos unfolding. At one point, several individuals are seen falling to the ground during the assault, while others continue the attack in full public view. The video further shows that after the violence subsided, one group began leaving the spot while members of the other group, who had collapsed on the road, were seen trying to help each other get back on their feet.

The incident has raised serious concerns over how quickly minor disagreements can snowball into dangerous and potentially fatal confrontations. That a dispute allegedly triggered by a scratch on a scooter could escalate into such a brutal attack has once again drawn attention to rising street violence and reckless behaviour, particularly when alcohol is involved.

The disturbing visuals have since gone viral on social media, sparking outrage and concern among viewers. The incident serves as yet another reminder of how unchecked anger and intoxication can turn a trivial matter into a life-threatening episode within minutes.

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Crime

CCTV captures brutal Mumbai assault linked to Yusuf Pathan’s relatives

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Mumbai, April 21: CCTV footage has emerged showing relatives of Yusuf Pathan, including his father-in-law, assaulting a Mumbai resident and his family following a dispute triggered by water splashing from a passing car in the Byculla area.

According to police, all identified accused have been arrested except one, after the incident came to light through video evidence and witness statements. The father-in-law of the Trinamool Congress MP was taken into custody on Monday along with his son and another relative. The three accused are alleged to have attacked a local resident and his family members two days earlier.

Officials from the Byculla Police Station said the CCTV footage forms a crucial part of the investigation and clearly captures the sequence of events leading to the assault.

The visuals show one individual, linked to the accused group, approaching the complainant’s vehicle and smashing its windshield using a bamboo stick or a similar object after water splashed on him from the car passing through a pothole.

Subsequently, a larger group, including those identified as Khalid Khan alias Makaliq — reported to be Yusuf Pathan’s father-in-law — along with his son Umarshad Khan, Shoaib Khan and another accused, Shehbaz Pathan, can be seen confronting the victim, Yusuf Khan, and his family members.

The footage depicts the accused carrying bamboo sticks and a baseball bat and aggressively attacking the victims. Multiple strikes are visible in the video, with scenes of chaos as the victims attempt to shield themselves while others try to intervene.

Police said the assault resulted in serious injuries, including a fractured hand suffered by the victim’s brother-in-law, Salman, and significant injuries to his uncle, Zaki Ahmed. The damaged vehicle, with its shattered windshield, is also visible in the footage.

Investigators stated that the assailants are clearly identifiable in the CCTV visuals, which have been used as primary evidence along with statements from eyewitnesses.

According to police, the clarity of the footage enabled them to identify the accused without ambiguity, leading to the swift arrest of three individuals, while one accused remains at large.

Further investigation into the case is ongoing, officials said.

The case has been registered under Sections 118(2), 115(2), 324, 352, 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

As per the police, the incident occurred on Saturday night around 9 p.m. when a local, Yusuf Khan (30), was returning home. Water from a pothole allegedly splashed onto another individual, identified as Shoaib Khan (35), after Yusuf Khan’s vehicle passed through it.

Yusuf Khan told police that he immediately stopped his car and apologised for the incident. However, Shoaib allegedly began abusing him verbally and damaged the car’s windshield using a bamboo stick before physically assaulting him, causing injuries.

After reaching home, Yusuf Khan’s family advised him to lodge a complaint with the police.

While heading towards the police station, Yusuf Khan allegedly encountered Khalid Khan, also known as ‘Makalik’ (Yusuf Pathan’s father-in-law). Police said Khalid was accompanied by his son, Umarsad Pathan (35), Shoaib Pathan and another accused, Shehbaz Pathan.

According to investigators, the group allegedly initiated another confrontation and attacked Yusuf Khan and his relatives using bamboo sticks and baseball bats.

During the assault, Yusuf Khan’s brother Salman suffered a fractured arm, while his uncle Zaki Ahmed sustained serious injuries. Police said Shehbaz Pathan remains absconding, while the other three accused have been arrested and booked for assault and causing grievous injuries.

The arrested accused were produced before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody.

Police said the action was based on CCTV footage, witness statements and the recovery of weapons used in the attack, including bamboo sticks and baseball bats. Investigators informed the court that the accused were clearly identified through CCTV visuals as well as by eyewitnesses.

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Crime

Mumbai: Barricade Collapse Injures 12-Year-Old Girl In Malad; FIR Against Infra Firm Supervisor

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Mumbai: J Kumar Company is under scrutiny again after the Dindoshi police registered an FIR against its supervisor for allegedly erecting iron barricades in a hazardous manner, leading to injuries to a 12-year-old girl in Malad East. The incident occurred on April 16, and the case was filed on April 20.

Mahendra Shinde, Senior Police Inspector, said the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road work is underway and machinery had been covered with circular barricades. One of these fell on the girl, and the case was registered after the family received the medical report.

The police have booked the supervisor, holding him responsible, and said action will follow as per law. The company did not respond to queries.

According to the FIR, complainant Rutika Mahadik, 26, lives in Pimpripada, Malad East, with her parents and five younger sisters. During the holidays, the children would take nightly walks on a road near Tarmat Company, closed to traffic and used by locals, where 15–20 iron barricades had been erected haphazardly.

On April 16, around 10 pm, four of Rutika’s sisters went for a walk while her 12-year-old sister Trisha played nearby. Around 10.45 pm, a barricade collapsed, injuring her face and causing fractures in both thighs.

She was first taken to Radhakrishna Hospital, then shifted the next day to Kanchi Hospital in Goregaon East for specialised care. On April 19, scan and MRA reports confirmed fractures in both thigh joints, after which the complaint was filed.

The police have registered the case under Sections 125(a) and 125(b) (acts endangering life or personal safety) and Section 289 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The incident follows a series of safety lapses linked to the company. On April 15, around 4.30 am, a crane deployed for Metro Line 2B work tilted near Asian Heart Hospital in Bandra-Kurla Complex after a mechanical snag while lifting a 140-metric-tonne beam. Traffic was disrupted for hours, and the clearance operation lasted over 14 hours. The MMRDA imposed a Rs 1 crore penalty, citing negligence.

Earlier, on April 8, a hydraulic crane overturned on the Kopri flyover along the Eastern Express Highway in Thane during construction of the Saket elevated corridor, disrupting traffic towards Mumbai.

In August 2025, an iron rod fell from a Metro Line 5 bridge onto a moving autorickshaw, critically injuring a passenger. In another 2025 incident at a Metro Line 9 site in Bhayandar, an iron jack toppled during a U-girder operation; no injuries were reported, but MMRDA imposed a Rs 10 lakh penalty.

In 2021, a slab collapse at the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road extension project in BKC left fourteen labourers narrowly escaping injury. In 2017, during Metro Line 7 construction, an iron rod fell onto the Western Express Highway, raising further safety concerns.

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