Navi Mumbai Police Register Fraud Case and Form Teams to Track Down Absconding Husband-Wife Duo.

The Fraud

The police have launched a manhunt to arrest a husband-and-wife cheating duo popularly dubbed a ‘Bunty-Babli’ couple for allegedly duping three local businessmen of Rs 1.45 crore under the guise of lucrative business deals and high-return investment schemes.

According to police sources, the accused couple lured the three victims into investing substantial amounts of money by promising guaranteed profits and exclusive business partnerships. Trusting the couple’s convincing pitch and forged documents, the businessmen transferred a total of Rs 1.45 crore across multiple transactions into accounts operated by the suspects.

The fraud came to light when the victims failed to receive the promised returns or principal investments within the agreed timeframe. Upon attempting to confront the couple, the businessmen found that the duo had shut down their operations, switched off their mobile phones, and fled their residence.

Realizing they had been cheated, the aggrieved businessmen approached the police and lodged a formal complaint. Based on their statements, law enforcement authorities registered a case of cheating, criminal breach of trust, and forgery against the absconding couple.

Police teams have been dispatched to trace the suspects using technical intelligence and informant networks, while bank accounts linked to the accused are being audited and frozen to recover the defrauded funds.

Crackdown Targets Mule Account Holders and Facilitators Channeling Illicit Funds for Cyber Fraud Syndicates.

The Crack Down

In a significant move against organized digital fraud, the Navi Mumbai Police have launched an extensive crackdown on key enablers and facilitators powering cybercrime networks across the region.

The law enforcement initiative focuses on individuals who rent, sell, or operate “mule” bank accounts and fraudulent SIM cards. These intermediaries serve as crucial links for cyber syndicates, allowing fraudsters to process, layer, and divert millions of rupees stolen through various online scams—including investment fraud, illegal gaming apps, and phishing schemes.

Investigators revealed that these accounts are often opened using falsified documents or by offering small financial incentives to vulnerable individuals. Once created, the account credentials, passbooks, ATM cards, and linked SIM cards are handed over to criminal rings to rapidly transfer illicit funds before law enforcement can trace or freeze them.

Police officials warned that individuals permitting their bank accounts or identity documents to be used for illegal transactions will face severe criminal prosecution as co-conspirators under cybercrime laws. Authorities have urged citizens to stay vigilant, avoid sharing personal banking credentials, and immediately report suspicious financial activity or cyber fraud through the national helpline 1930.

Search and Rescue Operations Underway After Youth Goes Missing While Swimming in Digha Dam.

The Youth

A 28-year-old man is feared drowned after going missing while swimming in a local dam located in the Digha area along the Thane-Belapur Road in Navi Mumbai, officials reported.

The victim has been identified as Ankush Gaud. According to official reports, Gaud had entered the reservoir for a swim when he suddenly disappeared into the deep waters, prompting immediate concern among onlookers.

Upon being alerted about the incident by a police personnel, emergency response teams and local authorities rushed to the spot to initiate search efforts. Rescue personnel deployed inflatable rafts into the water reservoir and launched an extensive search operation to locate the missing youth.

Rescue teams and local authorities continue their efforts in the surrounding waters. Further details regarding the incident are awaited as search operations remain ongoing.