Pune Cyber Police Bust ₹1.95 Crore WhatsApp Impersonation Racket; Two Arrested in Karnataka

Pune Cyber Police expose ₹1.95 crore WhatsApp impersonation scam; two accused arrested from Karnataka in inter-state fraud crackdown.

Pune | 21 February, 2026- In a significant breakthrough against rising cybercrime in India, the Pune Cyber Police have dismantled an inter-state WhatsApp impersonation racket that defrauded a Pune-based businessman of ₹1.95 crore. Two accused were arrested from Karnataka following a coordinated operation involving technical surveillance and interstate coordination, officials confirmed. The case once again underlines the alarming growth of digital financial frauds targeting business professionals through social engineering tactics and identity impersonation on messaging platforms.

According to investigators, the fraud began when the victim received WhatsApp messages from a number displaying the name and profile picture of a senior executive associated with his business network. The fraudsters carefully crafted their communication to appear professional and urgent, instructing the victim to transfer funds for what was presented as a time-sensitive corporate transaction. Trusting the authenticity of the request, the businessman transferred multiple installments totaling ₹1.95 crore to different bank accounts provided by the accused. Authorities later discovered that the gang had used SIM cards obtained through forged documents and operated via mule bank accounts to quickly layer and transfer the stolen funds, making detection more difficult.

Once the complaint was registered, Pune Cyber Police launched an in-depth digital investigation. By tracking IP addresses, mobile tower locations, transaction trails, and suspicious banking patterns, investigators traced the fraud network to Karnataka. With assistance from local law enforcement, two suspects were apprehended during a targeted operation. Police seized mobile phones, SIM cards, ATM cards, and other digital evidence believed to be linked to the crime. Officials stated that further investigation is underway to identify additional members of the gang and to recover the siphoned money.

Cybercrime experts note that WhatsApp impersonation scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated across India. Fraudsters often clone profile pictures of CEOs or senior executives, create numbers that resemble official contacts, and use urgency or confidentiality as psychological pressure tactics. A senior officer associated with the investigation emphasized that businesses must adopt strict verification protocols before authorizing high-value transfers. Simple steps such as cross-verifying requests through official phone calls or secure email channels could prevent substantial financial losses.

Legal proceedings have been initiated against the arrested individuals under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, including charges related to cheating, impersonation, forgery, and cyber fraud. Legal experts point out that inter-state cybercrime cases present unique challenges due to jurisdictional complexities and the rapid movement of digital funds across multiple accounts and regions.

The incident also reflects a broader concern linked to India’s accelerating digital transformation. While increased online transactions and digital communication have enhanced business efficiency, they have simultaneously expanded opportunities for cybercriminals. Law enforcement agencies are strengthening cyber forensic units and interstate coordination mechanisms, but authorities stress that public awareness remains a crucial defense mechanism.

The Pune Cyber Police have urged citizens and corporate entities to remain vigilant, avoid responding to urgent fund requests received solely via messaging apps, enable two-factor authentication on banking platforms, and report suspicious activity immediately through official cybercrime reporting channels.

The ₹1.95 crore WhatsApp impersonation case stands as both a major enforcement success and a cautionary tale. As digital platforms increasingly dominate professional communication, verification, vigilance, and cybersecurity preparedness are no longer optional—they are essential safeguards against evolving financial fraud.

Follow us On Our Social media Handles :
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook
Twitter

Also Read- Pune