In a major blow to an emerging cyber-pharma racket, the Mumbai Crime Branch has dismantled a fake international call centre alleged to be selling counterfeit and controlled medicines — including drugs like Viagra — to customers in the United States. Eight individuals have been arrested so far, while the suspected mastermind and two close aides are still on the run.

Authorities believe the group was part of a larger cross-border fraud operation targeting US nationals with bogus medical offers.

Stolen Foreign Data Used to Push Fake Pharma Sales

Investigators from Crime Branch Unit 9 discovered that the call centre had been functioning from a commercial building in Kevnipada, S.V. Road, Amboli, Jogeshwari (West). Early findings indicate the syndicate had been active for nearly seven months, posing as representatives of well-known American pharmaceutical companies.

Using stolen personal information, callers allegedly convinced victims to buy medicines at discounted prices. The drugs were either counterfeit or never dispatched, with payments diverted through websites and email accounts designed to mimic legitimate pharma platforms.

Those arrested have been identified as:
Mohammad Aamir Iqbal Shaikh (40), Mahir Iqbal Patel (26), Mohammad Shabib Mohammad Khalil Shaikh (26), Mohammad Ayaz Parvez Shaikh (26), Adam Ehsanullah Shaikh (32), Aryan Mushaffir Qureshi (19), Amaan Aziz Ahmed Shaikh (19), and Hashmat Jamil Jariwala (29).

The prime accused, Muzaffar Shaikh (43), along with associate Aamir Maniyar, is currently absconding. A search operation is underway to trace the missing suspects.

Digital Devices Seized; Forensic Teams to Map Scale of Fraud

During the raid, officers recovered laptops, storage devices, headsets, and other tools believed to have been used in the operation. These have been sent for forensic analysis to determine the size of the fraud network, the number of US victims, and the amount of money siphoned through the scheme.

A senior Crime Branch official confirmed that credible intelligence had pointed to a criminal group duping foreign citizens by offering restricted medicines. “We have secured significant digital evidence and are working to track down the absconding members,” the official added.

Investigators Examine Suspected International Money Routes

Police are now examining whether the proceeds were funneled through illegal channels such as cryptocurrency transfers, unregulated payment apps, or informal remittance networks. Preliminary digital trails show multiple foreign transactions that may violate anti-money laundering and foreign exchange laws. If these links are confirmed, the case may expand into a wider cross-border financial crime investigation.

Accused Remanded to Police Custody Until December 10

All eight arrested individuals were produced before the Esplanade Court, which granted police custody until December 10. Officers will scrutinize call logs, email records, and bank accounts connected to the group to trace the flow of funds and identify the sources of stolen data.

According to officials, the racket likely involved multiple collaborators, including offshore accomplices and data suppliers. More arrests are expected as digital forensic teams decode communications and transaction records recovered from the seized devices.

A Bengaluru resident, Sushma Pant, fell victim to a sophisticated ‘digital arrest’ cyber scam, losing ₹32.17 lakh to fraudsters who falsely claimed her son was involved in a serious criminal case. The scammers threatened that both mother and son would be arrested if she did not comply.

On November 19, Pant received a call from individuals impersonating officers of the Mumbai Police Cyber Crime Wing. They alleged her son’s Aadhaar and bank credentials were being used in a money laundering investigation and sent fake documents, including a Supreme Court letter, claiming an arrest warrant had been issued.

**Scare Tactics: ‘Digital Arrest’**

The scammers used psychological pressure, instructing Pant to:

* Disconnect from family and friends

* Remain confined at home

* Stay online constantly under alleged “surveillance”

They claimed her bank accounts and communications were monitored due to “national security concerns” and convinced her to transfer funds to multiple accounts as “verification deposits”:

| Date | Amount Lost | Mode / Details |

| —— | —————– | ——————————————— |

| 19 Nov | ₹27.12 lakh | Online transfers to multiple mule accounts |

| 20 Nov | ₹2.05 lakh | Payment to fake “Taxation Department” account |

| 26 Nov | ₹3 lakh | Transfer made under threat of arrest |

| 29 Nov | ₹7 lakh attempted | Family intervened before payment |

The total sum siphoned reached ₹32.17 lakh across 11 accounts, likely operated by money mules in different states.

**How the Scam Works**

Cybercrime officials warn that ‘digital arrest’ scams are spreading rapidly in urban areas. The modus operandi typically involves:

1. Accusing the victim of criminal activity

2. Isolating them digitally and emotionally

3. Threatening immediate arrest or legal action

4. Demanding urgent fund transfers to avoid “custodial interrogation”

5. Claiming government surveillance to prevent communication

Even educated and financially stable individuals have fallen prey, as fear can override rational decision-making.

**Police Advisory**

Authorities urge citizens to remain calm and follow these precautions:

* No law enforcement agency arrests people over phone or video

* No government body demands money to avoid legal action

* Never share personal or banking information with unknown callers

* Immediately disconnect if threatened

* Report incidents promptly via Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930 or Cyber Crime Portal: [cybercrime.gov.in](https://cybercrime.gov.in)

“Fear is the biggest weapon these criminals use,” said a cybercrime official. “Public awareness is the strongest defence.”