Santacruz Police Bust Online Scam, Arrest Domestic Worker Red-Handed While Collecting ₹9.8 Lakh Smartphones

Mumbai | Undercover Editor News Channel, February 21, 2026

Mumbai: In a swift and well-coordinated operation, the Santacruz Police arrested a 28-year-old domestic worker for allegedly duping his elderly employer of nearly ₹9.8 lakh through an online shopping scam in Santacruz West.

What began as a routine hiring to assist an elderly couple with health-related needs soon turned into a case of serious breach of trust. According to police officials, the accused joined the household barely a week before committing the offence. During this period, he allegedly stole the 73-year-old employer’s mobile phone, credit card, and cash, and used them to place multiple high-value online orders.

Using the stolen phone to access OTPs and payment alerts, the accused ordered around 15 high-end smartphones worth approximately ₹9.8 lakh from the e-commerce platform Flipkart. When the victim discovered the fraudulent transactions, he immediately approached the police.

Acting swiftly on the complaint, Santacruz police coordinated with the e-commerce company and closely monitored the delivery location in the Sahar area. A trap was laid, and the accused was caught red-handed when he arrived to collect the consignment. All the smartphones were seized on the spot, and the accused was taken into custody.

Police officials confirmed that the entire fraud amount has been successfully restored to the victim’s credit card after the orders were cancelled and the devices recovered. Investigations revealed that the accused had been placed in the job through a domestic service provider, raising concerns over background verification processes.

The incident has once again highlighted the growing threat of digital fraud and the need for caution while hiring domestic help, especially in households with senior citizens.

Further investigation is underway to determine whether the accused was involved in similar crimes elsewhere. Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.