Bombay HC judge duped: A striking case of cyber-crime emerged from Mumbai, where a judge posted at the Bombay High Court (HC) fell prey to a digital fraud, and ended up losing Rs 6.02 lakh, the police said. As per police, the accused committed the crime almost a month ago, and was arrested on Saturday from Jharkhand’s Jamtara, an area long-associated with organised cyber-crime syndicates. 

Details of the incident

According to Mumbai’s Cuff Parade police, the incident dates back to February 28, 2026, when the judge attempted to redeem credit card reward points. When he was unable to connect with the bank’s official helpline number due to busy lines, he searched online for an alternative contact number and unknowingly stumbled upon a fraudulent listing. 

The scammer, posing as a customer care executive, persuaded the judge to click on a link sent to him via WhatsApp, and download a cell phone application. When the app did not install on the judge’s iPhone, the crook advised him to switch to an Android device. The judge inserted his SIM card into his domestic help’s Android phone and installed the application. Moments after he entered his credit card details, Rs 6.02 lakh was siphoned off from his account. 

Bombay HC judge duped: Police leap into action, nab accused swiftly

Realising that he had been duped, the judge approached the Cuff Parade police immediately, who registered a case and leaped into action. The cyber cell sleuths traced the accused to Jharkhand’s Jamtara, from where he was apprehended in a joint operation led by the Jamtara Cyber cell and Karmatand Police. 

Wider cyber-crime web under scrutiny

Police officials said that such scams often involve planting fake customer care numbers online to trap unsuspecting victims. Thereafter, the crooks extract sensitive banking details through malicious applications or phishing links. Cyber-crime experts have warned that such incidents underscore the urgent need for digital vigilance and literacy, as the cyber crooks continue to exploit gaps in trust and awareness.