Mumbai Police Uncover Novel Credit Card Laundering Method in ₹5.45 Lakh Cyber Fraud; Two Jharkhand Men Arrested

Mumbai’s Cuffe Parade Police have arrested two men from Bokaro, Jharkhand, over a ₹5,44,827 cyber fraud that used a new method: instead of routing stolen money through mule bank accounts, the gang used it to clear large outstanding balances on credit cards. (Mumbai)

The arrested accused are:

• Govind Shyamlal Mandal (42), resident of Badki Chidri village, Jarkunda, Konardam, Bokaro district, Jharkhand
• Madan Jaylal Sav alias Sahu (40), resident of the same village

Both were arrested on 18 May 2026 and are currently in judicial custody.

The case (GR No. 43/2026) was registered on 23 February 2026 under Sections 111(2), 318(4), 319(2), 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code along with Sections 66, 66A and 66D of the Information Technology Act.

How the Fraud Unfolded

On 23 February 2026, between 4:40 PM and 6:00 PM, the complainant received a notice for ₹5,44,827.

The accused, posing as representatives of Mahanagar Gas Agency and using mobile numbers 9279584521 and 8252187278, contacted the victim via WhatsApp.

They sent a malicious file named “GasBill Update.apk” and persuaded the victim to install it on his phone.

Once installed, the application granted the accused unauthorised remote access to the victim’s mobile phone.

They then misused sensitive details of the victim’s HDFC and ICICI credit cards as well as AXIS and INDUSIND debit cards to transfer a total of ₹5,44,827 to multiple accounts.

New Modus Operandi

Investigations revealed a sophisticated new laundering technique.

Instead of routing funds through mule bank accounts (which can be frozen quickly if victims report to the national cyber helpline 1930 in time), the accused targeted individuals with high outstanding credit card dues.

They allegedly lured these cardholders with promises of commission.

The fraud money was used to pay off the credit card bills.

The remaining amount was transferred elsewhere, and the cardholders handed over cash to the accused after deducting their cut.

This method makes it significantly harder for victims to recover funds even during the critical “golden hour,” as the money trail does not follow conventional patterns like direct bank transfers, large ATM withdrawals (traceable via CCTV), or e-commerce purchases (which can be cancelled).

Investigation and Evidence

During the probe, police discovered that the defrauded amount had been used to clear outstanding bills of credit cards belonging to several individuals, including Vicky Thakkar and Shubham Kumar Shaw.

Technical analysis of the accused’s mobile phones yielded a wealth of evidence, including:

• Details and photographs of 26 credit cards from various banks in different names
• Chat records, audio clips and transaction-related images linked to multiple accounts

Suspected co-accused include Pradeep Mandal and Dinesh Mandal (both residents of Jamtara, Jharkhand) and their associates.

Police Appeal

Senior Police Inspector Satish Gayakwad of Cuffe Parade Police Station has appealed to the public: Anyone who has lodged a complaint regarding similar frauds or possesses information about the case is requested to contact:

• Cyber Officer Saponi Devkar: 98702 20229
• Cyber Officer Puani Bhagwat: 99755 15453

The field investigation was carried out by the ground team comprising:

• MPO Ashwini Patil
• SPO Amit Devkar
• PO Rupesh Kumar Bhagwat
• P.O.H. No. 080886 – Anil Udage
• P.O.H. No. 150495 – Wasim Sheikh
• P.O.H. No. 150652 – Amar Deshmukh
• P.O.H. No. 050488 – Sachin Patil

The team worked under the overall guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Manish Kalwania, SPOA Shashikira Kashid (Colaba Division), and Senior Police Inspector Satish Gayakwad of Cuffe Parade Police Station.