Special Correspondent
Pune: City Cyber Police have successfully solved a cyber fraud case worth Rs 55 lakh, involving a well-known company that was defrauded by individuals manipulating vendor payment details. Two suspects, Umer Hameed Shaikh and Aakash (alias Sonya Preet), were arrested in Solapur for altering the company’s Google Sheets system to divert funds into their own accounts.
The fraud took place between December 21, 2024, and January 2, 2025, when a fraudster posed as a vendor and changed the bank account details in the company’s payment system. This led the finance department to mistakenly transfer Rs 55,54,999 to the wrong account. The crime was discovered by the company’s finance manager, who filed a complaint on January 6, 2025, prompting a swift investigation.
Under the leadership of Senior Police Inspector Swapnali Shinde, the Cyber Police traced the fraud to Solapur, executing several raids that led to the arrest of the suspects. The investigation revealed that the fraud was carried out through manipulation of the company’s Google Sheets. Police are now on the lookout for the prime suspect, Manjunath Bhimde, who remains at large.
The operation was led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Vivek Masal (Sr.), Finance & Cyber, Pune City, and supported by senior officials, including Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma, and Additional Commissioner of Police Shailesh Balakwade (Crime).
Key contributors to the operation were Police Inspector Swapnali Shinde, Police Sub-Inspectors Sandeep Kadam, Sandeep Pawar, and Dinesh Markad, with Nagtilak playing a pivotal role in the operation’s success. The collaborative efforts of the team have had a significant impact on securing the safety and integrity of Pune City.
