Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi has abandoned his damages claim in the UK High Court over his allegation that he was kidnapped from Antigua in 2021 and taken to Dominica as part of an alleged effort to return him to India.

The legal action ended after Choksi failed to provide court-ordered security for the defendants’ legal costs. The amount involved was £677,000, equivalent to roughly ₹8.6 crore. The court’s earlier judgment had required security for costs while jurisdiction and other preliminary issues remained unresolved.

What Did Mehul Choksi Claim?

Choksi alleged that the Indian government conspired with several individuals to unlawfully detain and transport him from Antigua to Dominica on May 23, 2021.

According to his case, he was lured to an apartment, assaulted and forcibly taken onto a boat before being transported to Dominica. He alleged that the operation was connected to efforts to secure his return to India, where he faces allegations linked to financial crimes.

The defendants have denied the allegations. The Government of India also challenged the UK court’s jurisdiction and relied on state-immunity arguments. The High Court judgment recorded that no final determination had been made on the truth of Choksi’s allegations.

Why Did Choksi Abandon the Case?

The claim did not reach a full trial on the allegations.

In February 2026, Justice Mansfield ordered Choksi to provide security for the defendants’ legal costs. The court ordered £425,000 in security for Gurdip Bath and Leslie Farrow-Guy, while a further £252,000 was ordered for Gurmit Singh and Gurjit Singh Bhandal.

Choksi failed to make the required payment. His claims against several defendants were subsequently struck out, and his lawyers later filed to discontinue the remaining proceedings against the Indian government and Barbara Jarabik.

As a result, the allegations themselves were not finally determined by the UK court.

Court Raised Questions About Evidence

The February judgment focused primarily on applications for security for costs rather than deciding whether Choksi’s kidnapping allegations were true.

The court examined issues including the strength of the case, the potential difficulty of recovering costs from a claimant living outside the jurisdiction and Choksi’s ability to provide the required security.

Reports on the proceedings also noted that some of the evidence relied upon by Choksi was given limited or no evidential weight. However, the court’s decision to require security for costs was not itself a final ruling that the alleged kidnapping did or did not occur.

Choksi Remains in Belgium as Extradition Case Continues

The UK litigation is separate from Choksi’s extradition proceedings in Belgium.

Choksi was arrested in Belgium in 2025 following India’s request for his extradition. An Antwerp court later issued an advisory opinion supporting extradition, but Belgian authorities said the final decision remained under examination as of August 2026.

Indian authorities want Choksi returned in connection with allegations arising from the Punjab National Bank fraud case, which also involves fugitive businessman Nirav Modi.

Sandeep Mistry Deported From UAE to India

The latest development involving Choksi comes alongside another major action in the wider Nirav Modi-linked investigation.

The Central Bureau of Investigation recently secured the deportation of Sandeep Mistry from the United Arab Emirates to India. Mistry was wanted in connection with the PNB fraud investigation and had been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued in July 2026.

CBI alleges that Mistry helped coordinate the operations of overseas entities connected to the case and was involved in fictitious international trade transactions. Investigators have also alleged that he helped prepare forged documents and pressured nominal directors of foreign companies. These remain allegations in the criminal case.

After arriving in Mumbai, Mistry was arrested by the CBI and produced before a special court. He was subsequently remanded to judicial custody until October 6.

What Happens Next for Choksi?

With the UK damages claim abandoned, Choksi’s immediate legal challenges remain focused elsewhere, particularly on the extradition proceedings in Belgium.

The UK case did not produce a judicial finding confirming his allegations of kidnapping or establishing liability against the Indian government or the other defendants. Instead, the proceedings ended after the required security for legal costs was not provided.

Meanwhile, Indian investigative agencies continue pursuing individuals linked to the wider PNB fraud investigation, including suspects and accused persons who have remained outside the country. The deportation of Sandeep Mistry from the UAE is the latest example of those international efforts.

A 55-year-old IT engineer in Pune has allegedly lost ₹67.94 lakh after being lured into a fake stock-trading operation promoted through a WhatsApp group.

According to the complaint filed with Pune Cyber Police, scammers initially deposited ₹5,400 into the man’s bank account to make their investment scheme appear legitimate. After gaining his trust, they allegedly persuaded him to transfer tens of lakhs of rupees to accounts linked to the fraudulent trading operation.

The victim was shown supposed profits of approximately ₹8.46 crore on the fake platform. His suspicions were eventually triggered when he tried to withdraw the money and was told to first pay ₹1.17 crore in brokerage charges.

How the WhatsApp Investment Scam Started

The alleged fraud began in August after the Pune resident joined a WhatsApp group while looking for information about stock-market investments.

Members of the group reportedly discussed shares and initial public offerings (IPOs), creating the appearance of an active investment community. A woman who claimed to represent an investment company subsequently contacted the man and promoted the group’s investment recommendations.

The victim initially avoided making any investment. The fraudsters then allegedly offered him ₹5,000 to make an initial trade.

Soon afterward, ₹5,400 was actually credited to his bank account. The genuine transfer reportedly convinced him that the people behind the investment platform were legitimate.

Victim Transfers Nearly ₹68 Lakh

After gaining confidence in the scheme, the victim began following the trading recommendations provided through the WhatsApp group.

According to the police complaint, scammers directed him to transfer funds to different bank accounts through a customer-service facility associated with the purported trading platform.

His first major transfer was reportedly ₹9.70 lakh on September 2. He later made two additional transfers of ₹31 lakh and ₹27.24 lakh.

Together, the three transactions brought his alleged losses to ₹67.94 lakh.

Meanwhile, the trading application showed his account generating enormous returns. The platform reportedly displayed a balance of around ₹8.46 crore, giving him the impression that his investments had produced extraordinary profits.

₹1.17 Crore Withdrawal Demand Raises Alarm

The scam began to unravel when the victim attempted to withdraw the money shown in his account.

Instead of releasing the funds, the operators allegedly demanded another ₹1.17 crore, describing it as brokerage charges that had to be paid before the withdrawal could be processed.

The unusually large payment request made the victim suspicious. He already had experience using legitimate stock-trading platforms and questioned why such a substantial payment was required simply to access his purported profits.

Rather than transferring more money, he decided to investigate the investment company independently.

Visit to Mumbai Reveals Fake Platform

On September 15, the victim reportedly visited the Mumbai office of the company whose name had allegedly been used by the fraudsters.

During the visit, he discovered that the people who had contacted him and the trading platform he had been using had no genuine connection with the company.

The realisation led him to conclude that he had fallen victim to an online investment scam. He subsequently contacted the cybercrime helpline and approached Pune Cyber Police.

Investigators are now examining the bank accounts and financial transactions allegedly used to collect the victim’s money.

How Fake Trading Platforms Gain Victims’ Trust

The case highlights a common pattern in online investment fraud: scammers often establish credibility before asking victims for large sums.

Fraudsters may use WhatsApp groups filled with discussions about stocks, IPOs and market trends to create the impression of a professional investment community. They may also provide apparently successful trading recommendations or make a small payment to demonstrate that the system works.

Once a victim becomes comfortable, scammers can encourage increasingly larger deposits. Fake trading applications may then display substantial profits that exist only within the platform.

The final stage often involves demands for additional money under labels such as taxes, brokerage, withdrawal fees, account verification or processing charges.

Police Warn Investors About Online Trading Scams

Cybercrime investigators regularly advise investors to independently verify investment companies and trading platforms before transferring money.

Potential investors should be particularly cautious when strangers approach them through WhatsApp or social media with promises of unusually high returns. The presence of a professional-looking application, investment group or initial payment does not by itself establish that a platform is genuine.

Investors should also avoid sending additional money simply because an online platform displays large profits or claims that a withdrawal will be blocked until another payment is made.

A ₹5,400 Payment Became the First Step in a ₹67.94 Lakh Loss

The Pune case demonstrates how a relatively small transaction can be used to establish trust before a much larger financial loss occurs.

What began with an alleged ₹5,400 confidence-building payment ultimately resulted in the victim transferring ₹67.94 lakh. The fake platform’s display of ₹8.46 crore in supposed profits and the subsequent ₹1.17 crore withdrawal demand eventually exposed the alleged fraud.

Hyderabad Cybercrime Police have issued a notice to Meta seeking details about how its platforms detect and remove artificial intelligence-generated deepfake videos being used to promote fraudulent investment schemes.

The investigation follows a growing number of complaints from victims who say they were tricked by manipulated videos featuring well-known public figures allegedly endorsing fake trading platforms and investment opportunities. Authorities are examining how such content spreads across Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram and whether additional safeguards are needed to prevent financial fraud.

Fake Celebrity Videos Used to Lure Investors

Investigators have identified multiple cases where deepfake videos allegedly showed prominent personalities appearing to support fake financial schemes.

The probe includes manipulated content featuring Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, actor Amitabh Bachchan, and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi. Police said these videos were circulated online to create false credibility and encourage users to invest money through fraudulent platforms.

Owaisi had earlier approached Hyderabad Police after his identity was allegedly misused in a fake investment promotion. Similar deepfake-based scams have also targeted other public figures, including business leaders and celebrities, as fraudsters increasingly use trusted faces and voices to convince victims.

Fraud Pattern Follows a Common Method

Cybercrime investigators said many investment scams follow a similar approach. Criminals first use deepfake videos or fake advertisements to attract victims, then move conversations to private messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or Telegram.

Victims are often shown fake trading dashboards displaying artificial profits. When they attempt to withdraw funds, scammers demand additional payments in the form of taxes, processing charges, or verification fees.

Authorities have warned that the realistic appearance of AI-generated videos makes these scams more difficult for ordinary users to identify.

Meta Asked to Explain Detection Measures

A Meta representative has already appeared before investigators, who presented details of cases involving significant financial losses. Police have now requested technical experts from the company to explain the systems used to identify, monitor, and remove AI-generated fraudulent content.

The investigation reflects a broader effort by Telangana cybercrime authorities to examine the responsibilities of major technology platforms in preventing online fraud.

Officials are also reviewing whether social media companies and digital platforms are taking sufficient preventive measures rather than responding only after victims report losses.

Growing Pressure on Technology Platforms

The action against Meta follows similar scrutiny of other technology companies. In a separate investigation, Cyberabad Police questioned processes related to fraudulent stock-trading applications that allegedly caused financial losses after appearing on an app marketplace.

Together, these cases indicate a stronger focus by law enforcement agencies on the role of digital platforms in enabling cybercrime through advertisements, applications, and user-generated content.

Authorities are also examining the impact of updated Indian technology regulations that increase obligations for online platforms regarding synthetic media, harmful content detection, and user safety.

Experts Warn of Rising AI Fraud Threat

Cybersecurity experts have described AI-generated deepfakes as one of the fastest-growing threats in the online fraud landscape.

Experts warn that criminals can now create convincing videos and voice recordings of trusted individuals, making victims more likely to believe false investment claims.

Authorities have advised users to verify investment opportunities through official sources, avoid transferring money based solely on online promotions, and remain cautious of offers promising unusually high returns.

Investigation Continues

Hyderabad Cybercrime Police said the investigation will focus not only on identifying scam operators but also on understanding how fraudulent content reaches large audiences.

Officials believe cooperation between law enforcement agencies and major technology companies will be essential to reducing organized cyber fraud and improving digital safety for users.