The cyber police successfully arrested one accused from Surat, Gujarat. Investigation revealed that ₹1.71 crore had been transferred to the accused’s bank account, opened under the guise of a fake textile company. He reportedly received ₹6.40 lakh as commission for facilitating the transactions.
The scam, which spanned nearly two months, began on August 18, 2025, when the victim received a call from an individual claiming to be a Colaba Police Station officer. The caller alleged that her bank account was being used for money laundering and threatened legal action if she disclosed the matter. The woman was instructed to share her bank details, and the fraudsters claimed that the investigation would be handled by the CBI.
The culprits went to great lengths to manipulate the victim, making her write a two-to-three page essay on her life to “prove innocence” and promising bail. Later, an accused named S.K. Jaiswal arranged a video call with another individual impersonating Justice Chandrachud, who requested investment-related documents. The victim transferred nearly ₹3.75 crore to multiple accounts over two months before realizing she had been defrauded.
Upon reporting the matter to the West Region Cyber Police Station, investigation traced part of the money to a mule account in Surat. During interrogation, the arrested accused revealed details about two masterminds believed to be operating from abroad, one of whom runs an immigration and visa service business.
The case underscores the rising complexity of digital frauds and highlights the use of mule accounts to launder illicit funds. It also comes shortly after the Supreme Court directed the CBI on December 1 to investigate digital arrest cases nationwide under the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, urging all states to cooperate.
Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, whose identity was misused in the scam, served as India’s 50th Chief Justice from May 2016 to November 2024 and currently teaches at the National Law University, Delhi.
The authorities have cautioned the public against sharing sensitive information online or over the phone and urged vigilance against impersonation scams involving high-profile names.
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