Fake Indian Navy Recruitment Scam Busted in Mumbai; Four Accused Booked for Cheating

A massive fraud involving fake recruitment for officer posts in the Indian Navy has been uncovered in the Worli Koliwada area. The Dadar Police have registered a case of cheating against four individuals, including a woman. The accused have been identified as Anuj Mayekar, Nitin Shetye, Ganesh Nagarkar, and Shraddha Gothivarekar. Police have initiated an investigation, and the accused are likely to be questioned soon.

According to police sources, the accused defrauded at least 15 people of around ₹76 lakh under the pretext of securing them jobs in the Indian Navy. Investigators suspect that more victims may have fallen prey to their scam, and efforts are underway to identify them. Dadar Police have urged anyone who has been cheated by these accused to come forward and file a complaint.

How the Scam Unfolded

Mayur Mangesh Dalvi (28), a resident of Worli Koliwada, filed the complaint. He came into contact with the accused in December last year. They convinced him that large-scale recruitment for officer posts was underway in the Indian Navy and assured him a job. The accused also asked him if he knew other candidates interested in joining.

Trusting them, Dalvi informed his friends and relatives about the opportunity. Eventually, 15 people, including Dalvi, expressed their willingness to apply. The accused collected a total of ₹76 lakh from them—₹60 lakh was transferred to their bank accounts, while ₹16 lakh was paid in cash.

The fraudulent transactions took place between December 5, 2024, and February 13, 2025, in Worli Koliwada. However, after the promised period, none of the victims received appointment letters or job placements. When they inquired, the accused started avoiding them and stopped responding to calls, giving various excuses. Realizing they had been cheated, the victims demanded their money back, but the accused kept delaying repayment.

Police Action Initiated

Upon learning about the fraud, Mayur Dalvi and the other victims approached the Dadar Police Station and lodged a complaint. Senior officers took the matter seriously and registered a case against the accused under charges of financial fraud and forgery.

Following the complaint, the police have booked Anuj Mayekar, Nitin Shetye, Ganesh Nagarkar, and Shraddha Gothivarekar for creating fake documents and misappropriating money. The accused are expected to receive summons for questioning, and further legal action, including arrests, is likely after their interrogation.

Dadar Police have appealed to anyone who has been duped by the accused to come forward and report the fraud. The investigation is ongoing.