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ED arrests Mumbai lawyer accused of unfreezing fraud…

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activeCyber Crime / Digital ArrestMaharashtra

ED arrests Mumbai lawyer accused of unfreezing fraud accounts in Rs 30,000cr cyber scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested a Mumbai-based lawyer accused of acting as a key "lien-fixer" in a massive cyber fraud and money-laundering network involving over Rs 30,000 crore. The nationwide scam reportedly affects around 300 complainants spread across 20 states and Union Territories, and this marks the seventh arrest made in the ongoing investigation.

State

Maharashtra

First reported

October 2026

Total scam amount

Over Rs 30,000 crore

Agency involved

Enforcement Directorate (Panaji zonal office)

Arrests

Seventh arrest in the case

Charges or sections cited

Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)

Status

Remanded in ED custody until October 29

The full story

Everything you need to know about this case, in one place.

Investigators allege that the lawyer helped cyber fraudsters unfreeze bank accounts that had been blocked by law enforcement agencies due to fraud complaints. According to the ED, the accused negotiated bribe amounts, arranged onward payments to suspected officials, and used his professional standing as cover to facilitate the release of suspected fraud proceeds without ever appearing in court as an advocate.

The broader investigation began following an FIR registered by Goa police regarding a "digital arrest" scam, where a couple was coerced into transferring about Rs 2.6 crore into accounts presented as supervision accounts. Authorities tracked the illicit proceeds through numerous mule accounts into shell companies, leading them to uncover the broader network and subsequently apprehend the lawyer at Mumbai airport as he allegedly attempted to leave the country.

Not yet reported: The articles do not mention the final identities of all corrupted officials or the ultimate court sentencing outcomes for any of the previously arrested individuals.

Where the case stands

The latest position in the reports we read.

The accused lawyer was remanded in ED custody until October 29 by a special PMLA court in North Goa, while authorities continue to investigate and identify other officials allegedly involved.

Who was affected

Described in general terms; we do not name victims.

The primary victims mentioned include a Goa resident couple who lost about Rs 2.6 crore in a digital arrest scam, alongside approximately 300 complainants across 20 states and Union Territories affected by the wider cyber fraud network.

Timeline

Key dates as reported, oldest first.

Oct 24The accused lawyer was intercepted and arrested by the ED at Mumbai airport under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Oct 29A special PMLA court in North Goa remanded the accused in ED custody.

How the scam worked

The method described in the reports.

Fraudsters impersonated officials from regulatory and investigative agencies, forcing victims under digital surveillance to transfer money into fake supervision accounts.
Stolen funds were routed through a vast network of more than 400 mule accounts.
The money was funneled into shell companies controlled by associates using dummy directors.
When law enforcement agencies froze accounts linked to the fraud, the accused lawyer stepped in to negotiate bribes.
The lawyer allegedly arranged payments to suspected officials to unfreeze the blocked accounts and allow fraudsters to access the proceeds.

Targeted by something similar?

Call 1930 (free, 24x7) straight away, then file at cybercrime.gov.in. Money reported in the first hours is far easier to freeze.

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Keep reading

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Sources and further reading

Optional. The full story is above; these are the original reports it was prepared from.

timesofindia.indiatimes.comOriginal report The Times of IndiaOpens via Google News

Prepared by Report Scams, with the help of AI, from the published reports listed above. Check those reports for the latest. Cases here describe allegations. An FIR, arrest or charge is not a finding of guilt. To report a mistake, or to ask for a correction or removal, write to our Grievance Officer. See also the Safe Posting policy.