Authorities in Mumbai alert businesses to a rising trend of impersonation scams where fraudsters use executives’ identities to siphon off millions, emphasising the importance of verification and quick reporting.
Mumbai police have warned of a rising wave of so-called “boss scams” after cyber fraudsters allegedly used the name and photograph of a company director to trick an employee into transferring Rs 1.98 crore to a bank account. According to India TV News, the deception unfolded on August 6, 2026, and officers were later able to secure about 92% of the money after the complaint was filed.
The victim, a general manager at a private company, received WhatsApp messages from an unknown number that appeared to belong to the director. The messages reportedly carried the executive’s name and profile picture, giving the request an air of authority. Believing the instruction was genuine, the employee transferred the money as asked.
Only after the payment was completed did the employee check with the real director on his usual mobile number. The company chief denied sending any such message or authorising the transfer, exposing the fraud. The employee then contacted Mumbai Police’s cyber helpline and the South Division cyber police station, which moved quickly to trace the funds.
The case fits a pattern that has worried investigators in Mumbai in recent months. In June, The Times of India reported that employees at two companies were duped of Rs 3.5 crore in a similar scam in which fraudsters used malicious zip files to gain remote access to phones and then altered contact lists to impersonate bosses. Separately, Mid-Day reported that Mumbai’s Cyber Police arrested six people in July over an online share-trading fraud, while another Mid-Day report said Crime Branch officers had arrested six suspects in a Rs 10.40 crore WhatsApp impersonation case and frozen Rs 5.63 crore. Hindustan Times also reported that a Navi Mumbai jewellery firm lost Rs 10.7 crore in a WhatsApp scam involving the owner’s name and photograph.
Police have repeatedly urged staff not to act on money-transfer requests sent from unfamiliar numbers, even when the sender appears to be a senior official. They have advised employees to verify such instructions through an established phone number or official channel and to report suspected cyber fraud immediately by calling 1930 or using the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Officials say fast reporting greatly improves the chances of freezing or recovering stolen funds.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
