Skip to content
Scammers.com
ImpersonationReviewed

Delhi Police arrest two over Rs 50 lakh WhatsApp scam in which a fraudster posed as a hotel company's managing director

The Times of India reported on 10 November 2026 that Delhi Police's IFSO unit arrested Ankesh Yadav, 25, and Samir Sheikh, 30, in Thane, Maharashtra, for allegedly facilitating a Rs 50 lakh cyber fraud. Police said a…

First reported
Reports
1

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com · published

Illustration: Impersonation scams

What happened

The Times of India reported on 10 November 2026 that Delhi Police's IFSO unit arrested Ankesh Yadav, 25, and Samir Sheikh, 30, in Thane, Maharashtra, on 30 October (the date given by IANS), for allegedly facilitating a Rs 50 lakh cyber fraud. Police said a fraudster used a hotel company managing director's name and display picture on WhatsApp, blocked the genuine contact on the finance manager's phone, and on about 16 October instructed him to transfer Rs 50 lakh to a bank account; a further Rs 48 lakh request on 21 October was stopped after the employee checked directly with the managing director. Police alleged Yadav persuaded Sheikh to arrange and operate the beneficiary account, opened in the name of a worker at Sheikh's shop, and that the bank kit was handed to the fraud's handlers. The funds were frozen and returned to the company under a court order. IANS also reported the arrests on X. Treat any WhatsApp payment request from a boss as unverified until confirmed by a known number.

How the scam works

According to police, as reported by the Times of India, a person used a hotel company managing director's name and display picture on WhatsApp, blocked the genuine contact on the finance manager's phone, and on about 16 October instructed him to transfer Rs 50 lakh to a bank account. A further Rs 48 lakh request on 21 October was stopped after the employee checked directly with the managing director. Police alleged Yadav persuaded Sheikh to arrange and operate the beneficiary account, opened in the name of a worker at Sheikh's shop, and that the bank kit was handed to the handlers. The funds were frozen and returned to the company under a court order.

These are allegations at the arrest stage. Treat any WhatsApp or messaging-app payment request from a boss or colleague as unverified until you confirm it on a number or in a meeting you already know, especially if the display name and photo look familiar. IANS also reported the arrests, and gave 30 October as the date of the arrests in Thane.

Source

The Times of India, 10 November 2026: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/hotel-manager-duped-of-rs-50-lakh-in-whatsapp-impersonation-scam-2-held/articleshow/135715258.cms

https://x.com/ians_india/status/2120152984231522700

Red flags

  • A WhatsApp or other messaging-app request from a boss or director to transfer a large sum, especially if the display photo looks familiar.
  • The genuine contact for that person being blocked or suddenly replaced on your phone.
  • A request to pay into an account you do not already use for the company.
  • Urgency that discourages you from confirming the instruction in person or on a known number.

If you were targeted

  1. 1Treat any WhatsApp payment request from a boss as unverified until you confirm it on a known number or in person.
  2. 2Do not transfer funds from a chat alone, even if the name and photo look right.
  3. 3If you have already paid, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to the police.
  4. 4Warn colleagues if a senior contact appears to have been replaced on a messaging app.
  5. 5The people named in the report were arrested according to the cited coverage; those are allegations unless a court has convicted them.
ReportFraud.ftc.gov FBI IC3 More resources

Related reports

All impersonation reports
Government impersonationReviewed

Kolkata police arrest three men accused of posing as CBI officers at SSC office; fake IDs and forged job letters seized

Nation Press reported on 11 November 2026 that Kolkata Police's Bhowanipore police arrested three men who allegedly impersonated Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers at the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) o…

  • Three men posing as CBI officers; fake CBI ID cards; SSC Eastern Region office, Nizam Palace, Kolkata
Reported Nov 11, 20261 report
Money mule & launderingReviewed

Indore police arrest five under 'Operation Matrix' for allegedly selling bank accounts to a cyber fraud gang

Rediff News (PTI) reported on 11 November 2026 that Indore police arrested five men under 'Operation Matrix' for allegedly selling their bank accounts to cyber fraudsters so stolen money could be moved. Aerodrome poli…

  • Operation Matrix; Raj Vaidya, Tushar Chauhan, Ayush Prajapat, Ajay Patel, Ritesh Prajapat
  • mule bank accounts sold or rented to cyber-fraud gangs
Reported Nov 11, 20261 report
Investment fraudReviewed

Kerala police probe ₹2.11 crore loss to fake forex platform using the name 'Handtec Markets' via Telegram

The Hindu reported on 12 November 2026 that the Ernakulam Rural Cyber Crime Police registered an FIR on 11 November after a 41-year-old from Kochi who works in Dubai allegedly lost more than ₹2.11 crore in an online f…

  • 'Handtec Markets' (name used by scammers); Telegram groups; fake forex trading website
  • Fake Telegram investment or forex channels (12 Nov 2026)
Reported Nov 12, 20261 report