Mumbai Crime Branch busts Rs 5 crore extortion racket

The accused induced fear by pretending to bribe CBI officials ultimately extorting R4.95 crore in multiple instalments. Representation Pic

An MG Hector vehicle, a substantial cash flow for a judiciary contact, and Rs 18 lakh RTGS transfer have emerged as key elements in a Rs 5 crore extortion case. The accused exploited a BKC-based businessman's vulnerability, connecting it to 138 cheque-bouncing cases. To escalate their demands, the accused falsely asserted that the CBI had initiated a serious fraud investigation against the victim, leading to the extortion of significant sums. Authorities are currently pursuing an individual who assumed the identity of "joint commissioner" Gaikwad, using WhatsApp to threaten the complainant.

The crime branch has arrested Ravindra Saharan alias Laksh and the businessman's driver, Hamnumant Kamble, charging them with cheating, impersonation, and criminal conspiracy. They are in police custody until January 25 after appearing before the 37th Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Friday. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate L S Padhen emphasised the need for a thorough investigation into the accused's misuse of the court's name and a judicial officer for personal gain. Allegedly, the accused persuaded the informant to surrender a significant sum by falsely claiming to secure favourable orders from different courts and authorities.

Subsequently, Laksh extracted substantial amounts through cash, RTGS, gifts, and other means. He later concocted a narrative about being apprehended by the Gujarat CBI, compelling the complainant to pay Rs 3 lakh in EMI to resolve the fabricated case. The complainant, a Bandra East resident lodged a complaint upon discovering that the impersonator was someone familiar. Laksh, who initially established contact with the victim in 2020 under the guise of a businessman, claimed to have connections with judiciary officials capable of securing a clean chit in pending cases. He obtained significant sums through cash, RTGS, and gifts. Laksh then fabricated a story of being arrested by the Gujarat CBI, pressuring the victim to pay Rs 3 lakh in EMI to resolve the concocted case.

According to the Mumbai Crime Branch officials, the accused induced fear in the complainant by pretending to bribe CBI officials and the judiciary, ultimately extorting Rs 4.95 crore in multiple installments. "The driver, Kamble, deceived his employer by claiming to make payments at various offices, his involvement surfaced after his phone was thoroughly scrutinised." An officer privy to the investigation said.

Rs 4.95 cr
Total money extorted in multiple instalments