A 56-year-old resident of Talegaon Dabhade near Pune allegedly lost ₹30 lakh after callers posing as Central Bureau of Investigation officers threatened to implicate him in a money-laundering case. According to police, the incident occurred between 3 and 13 October 2026. The victim was allegedly instructed to transfer money through RTGS transactions for supposed verification, with a promise of repayment within 72 hours. Talegaon Dabhade police registered a case and reportedly blocked ₹3.45 lakh linked to the transactions.
Pune Money Laundering Scam Costs 56-Year-Old Man ₹30 Lakh in Fake CBI Case
Cyber criminals impersonating Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers allegedly duped a 56-year-old Talegaon Dabhade resident of ₹30 lakh after threatening to implicate him in a money-laundering probe. The police have recovered Rs 3,45,000.
A 56-year-old man allegedly lost Rs 30 lakh in the Pune money laundering scam after fraudsters posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers threatened to implicate him in a financial crime case, police said.
The alleged fraud took place between 3 and 13 October 2026. The victim, a resident of Talegaon Dabhade near Pune, filed a complaint on Monday when the suspects allegedly did not give back his money and went into hiding.
“Investigators have registered a case and immediately blocked ₹3.45 lakh of the amount that was transferred,” said Inspector Kishor Patil of Talegaon Dabhade police station. The FIR had mentioned full loss of ₹30 lakh.
Fake CBI Officer Uses Money-Laundering Investigation Threat
The complainant had sold property in Mumbai and invested the money in fixed deposits, depending on the interest income to meet his living expenses, said Inspector Kishor Patil.
On October 3, the man received a video call from an unknown number. The caller identified himself as a CBI officer investigating a Rs 538 crore money laundering case and stated that the complainant had links with the probe.
Investigators had tracked 247 bank accounts linked to the alleged case, including one belonging to the victim, Patil said, adding that the caller claimed this. Then the suspect found out about the man’s investments.
The allegations are the latest in a pattern of fraud in which criminals impersonate people and use the authority of law enforcement agencies to frighten victims into sending money. The caller allegedly pressured the man in this instance with the threat of criminal action.
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RTGS Transfers Made Under Threat of Arrest
The suspect allegedly told the complainant to transfer money through Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) transactions into different bank accounts, saying the transfer was for verification purposes.
The caller told Patil that the CBI would match the transaction records of the man with those of suspected money launderers. The victim was allegedly told he would be arrested if investigators got a match.
The caller allegedly promised that the transferred money would be returned within 72 hours if the records did not show any connection to the alleged crime. This assurance seems to have been sufficient to persuade the complainant to comply with the instructions.
But when the time came to return the money, it was not returned. The victim became suspicious when the suspect disappeared after three days and reported an alleged fraud to the police.
Police Block ₹3.45 Lakh as Investigation Proceeds
Inspector Kishor Patil said the police registered a case after receiving the complaint and immediately acted to block ₹3.45 lakh. The reported account did not address the status of recovery of the remaining amount.
This case highlights the financial risks of receiving unsolicited calls from people claiming to be from investigative agencies. “Just because someone calls you and says they are law enforcement, or threatens you, you shouldn’t take that authority at face value.
Warning Against Fake Money-Laundering Cases
The Pune money laundering scam is an example of how victims can be forced to transfer large amounts of savings using arrests and fabricated probes. A police operation has led to part of the reported amount being recovered, but the total amount recovered is not known.
As the investigation continues, the case is a reminder to independently verify suspicious claims, not to transfer funds under pressure, and to report suspected impersonation fraud promptly to the police or India’s cybercrime reporting channels. Sprouts News will continue to cover developments in cybercrime and financial fraud impacting the public.
