Mumbai | April 6,2026 | SKY LINK TIMES
Fake PM Letter Scam Busted:
The Anti-Extortion Cell of the Mumbai Police has arrested two individuals for allegedly attempting to extort ₹4 lakh from a complainant by using a forged letter carrying the fake signature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials said on Monday.
The accused, identified as Tausif Hussain Ismail Patel (44) and Siddhinath Dinanath Pandey alias Sunil (43), were produced before the Esplanade Court, which remanded them to three days of police custody for further investigation.
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According to police, both accused are associated with a firm named Target Media and reside in Goregaon (West). They were arrested on April 4 following a trap laid by the Anti-Extortion Cell.
How the Extortion Plot Unfolded
The complainant, who runs a non-governmental organisation (NGO) involved in social work since 2020, first came into contact with the accused during a social event in 2022. The duo allegedly introduced themselves as journalists and maintained regular communication via WhatsApp.
On March 18, one of the accused reportedly sent a voice note offering to arrange a birthday greeting letter from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in exchange for money. Though the complainant initially dismissed the offer, the accused allegedly continued to insist on its authenticity and demanded ₹4 lakh as “PR charges.”
Later, on March 28, an associate allegedly sent a digital copy of a letter bearing what appeared to be the Prime Minister’s signature, praising the complainant’s social work. The complainant briefly shared the letter on social media but deleted it after doubts were raised about its authenticity.
Fake Identity and Increasing Pressure
Police said the accused further attempted to make the fraud appear genuine by creating a fake email ID in the complainant’s name. They allegedly claimed to have contacts within the Prime Minister’s Office and continued pressuring the victim for payment.
On April 2, the complainant met the accused at a cafe in Worli, where they reiterated their demand and promised to deliver a framed “original” letter.
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Trap Laid, Accused Caught Red-Handed
Following continuous pressure and alleged threats, the complainant approached the police. Acting swiftly, the Anti-Extortion Cell conducted a technical investigation and set up a trap at a hotel in Worli Sea Face.
The accused were caught red-handed while allegedly accepting the extortion money. During the operation, police recovered a framed fake letter, toy currency bundles mixed with real notes, and mobile phones used in the crime.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
A case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act, including charges of cheating, forgery, extortion, criminal conspiracy, and cyber fraud.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing and more individuals may be involved in the racket. Police are also examining whether similar frauds have been carried out using forged documents of other government officials.
The probe is being led by the Anti-Extortion Cell, with authorities focusing on the origin of the forged signature and the digital tools used to fabricate the document.
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