A 33-year-old Indian woman living in the United States was duped of USD 94,000 (around Rs84 lakh) by cybercriminals posing as police officers. The scammers, believed to be operating from India, kept her under “digital arrest” and coerced her into transferring money through cryptocurrency.

The victim, a software developer from Borivali (West), currently working in New Jersey, received a call last week claiming that a gun had been purchased using her credit card. She initially ignored it as a scam, but the next day, she received another call from an Indian number. The caller, introducing himself as an officer from the Delhi Cyber Crime Department, accused her of involvement in a Rs25.8 lakh money-laundering case linked to businessman Naresh Goyal and threatened arrest.

The fraudster made a video call showing what appeared to be a police station background. He convinced the woman to remain under constant video surveillance, calling it a “digital arrest.” He then instructed her to buy a new phone and SIM card, share her bank details, and open a Bitcoin account, assuring her the money would be returned once the case was “resolved.”

Over a few days, she transferred USD 94,000 in four cryptocurrency transactions to what she was told was a “special account.” She later realised she had been scammed.

When she approached the cyber police in New Jersey, they refused to register a case, citing that the funds were transferred to Indian accounts.

The Nirmal Nagar police have booked four individuals, including three women, for allegedly assaulting police constable Sameer Bhingardive and threatening to file a false case against him. Bhingardive, 40, is assigned to the Cyber Crime Cell and is responsible for tracing cybercrime suspects and recovering stolen or missing mobile phones. He resides at the Worli Police Camp.

According to the FIR, the incident occurred on October 25 at around 6.30 pm. Bhingardive had traced a missing mobile phone and contacted its owner, autorickshaw driver Virendrakumar Saroj, instructing him to submit it at the police station.

While waiting at a tea stall on the Western Express Highway service road, Bhingardive intervened in an argument between Saroj and a woman over parking. Despite identifying himself as a policeman, Bhingardive was assaulted when two women and a man arrived at the spot. The assailants struck him on the face, head, and neck, with the man reportedly using his bracelet.

During the altercation, one woman broke Saroj’s driver’s licence, and another threatened to file a false case against the constable, demanding a public apology. The commotion drew a crowd, prompting immediate police action.

Constables Swapnil Tambe and Datish Tige arrived at the scene, rescued Bhingardive, and took the four accused to Nirmal Nagar police station. Bhingardive later received treatment at VN Desai Hospital, Santacruz (East).

The accused are identified as Kavita Patil, 38; Pooja Gaikwad, 32; Geeta Gorvale, 32; and Kalpesh Gaikwad, around 35, all residents of Khar East.

The police have registered a case under Sections 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from duty), and 3(5) (general explanation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).

Sujata Madke, hailing from Shahapur in Maharashtra’s Thane district, has charted an extraordinary path from serving as a Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector at the Thane Regional Transport Office (RTO) to becoming a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Her story is one of perseverance, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to self-improvement. She joined as an Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector at Thane RTO on 27 January 2023, and on 27 May 2025, she joined ISRO. She is now working with ISRO.

In this exclusive interview with Kamal Mishra, Editor – Transport & Infra, Sujata shares insights into her journey, her approach to balancing work and studies, and her message for young dreamers.

Sujata: Thank you! It wasn’t easy, but I followed a strict routine. I used to study early in the morning before work and again after returning home. On average, I dedicated about six hours daily to my studies. I also made sure to balance other activities getting proper sleep, watching TV, reading newspapers, and spending quality time with my family. Maintaining that balance kept me focused and energized.

Sujata: Time management is truly an art. You have to set your priorities right. Sometimes 24 hours feel too short, but if you genuinely want something, you’ll find time. I learned to plan my day effectively — dedicating specific hours to study, work, and rest. Even amidst a busy schedule, I made sure to spend time with friends and family. That emotional balance kept me motivated and mentally strong.

Sujata: I’m grateful that I never faced such pressure. My family has always been extremely supportive. My father, a retired Zilla Parishad clerk who now practices farming, encouraged me to pursue my ambitions. My elder sister works at Infosys, another sister ( also elder ) is a pharmacist, and my younger brother is an IT engineer. My mother father, everyone in my family values education and hard work their encouragement was my biggest strength.

Sujata: I owe my success to my family, my teachers, and the RTO department. Their constant support, faith, and encouragement made this possible. It truly takes a village to help one reach their dreams.

Sujata: No doubt, there is a difference between central and state government jobs. But in my case, both organizations are different, so comparing them is not appropriate, as they are involved in different types of work. The level of discipline and professionalism in ISRO is higher compared to the RTO, mainly because there is less public interaction involved. In the RTO, my job was completely public-centric, so we cannot compare the two. In short, we can say that both have their own dignity and working style.Que: Now that you’re part of ISRO, what are your future goals?Sujata: My goal is to contribute to ISRO’s upcoming missions and research projects. Being part of India’s space program is a dream come true, and I want to make a meaningful contribution to the nation’s scientific progress.Que: Finally, what message would you like to share with young people aspiring to achieve their dreams?Sujata: Believe in yourself and your dreams — that’s the first step. Work hard, stay consistent, and never give up. Success doesn’t come overnight, but with passion and persistence, nothing is impossible.

Transport Minister Coming from a farming family, Sujata Madke’s journey is a shining example of perseverance, dedication, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence,” said Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Saturday, while honoring Sujata. “Her success is the result of the strong values instilled by her parents, the guidance and encouragement from her teachers, and her own relentless hard work. She has made Thane district and the entire Transport Department proud.”During a function in Mira Road, Minister Sarnaik felicitated Sujata and added, “Sujata’s achievement serves as a powerful inspiration, especially for youth from rural areas. Her story conveys a simple yet profound message: dream big, work sincerely, and believe in yourself success will surely follow. On behalf of the entire Transport Department, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Sujata Madke as she embarks on her promising journey at ISRO.