Two-Year Hunt Ends in Delhi
After two years on the run, Mumbai Police finally tracked down serial conman Sunil Parasmal Lodha in a flat in Jangpura, Delhi. The arrest was made possible through intensive cyber surveillance, including SDR and CDR analysis. Lodha, 38, had duped multiple people in Mumbai of nearly ₹5 crore by posing as a wealthy plywood businessman. He was living with a struggling South Indian actress, allegedly using the stolen funds to finance her film aspirations.
The High-Profile Investment Scam
Lodha’s fraudulent activities date back to 2019, when he befriended a Borivli-based Ayurveda doctor. Under the pretext of offering high returns in the plywood business, he convinced the doctor to invest ₹7 crore over a span of four years. Although ₹3 crore was returned, Lodha eventually stopped payments and vanished, prompting a formal complaint on January 24, 2024.
Second Case: Wood Trader Loses Rs 88 Lakh
Another victim, a 52-year-old wood trader from Malad West, filed a case with Bangur Nagar police in July 2024. Lodha persuaded him to deliver teakwood stock worth ₹80 lakh on credit, offering two post-dated cheques which later bounced. Investigations revealed a broader pattern of fraud, with Lodha issuing cheques in the names of family members to cover his tracks.
How the Police Tracked Him
Despite frequently changing mobile numbers, Mumbai Police cyber teams used historical call records to identify one consistent number previously associated with Lodha. By tracing new contacts linked to this number, officers discovered a Delhi-based model who was in touch with Lodha. After days of surveillance, Lodha was finally located and arrested from the Jangpura flat.
Inside the Arrest Operation
The operation was led under the guidance of DCP Anand Bhoite, with Senior Inspector Maloji Shinde and PI Milind Nagpure playing key roles. Cyber team members including PSI Kalyan Patil, Vishal Jhagde, Constable Rabbil Shaikh, and Head Constable Bahiram were also instrumental in cracking the case.
Possible Film Connection Under Probe
According to investigators, Lodha spent a substantial portion of the defrauded money on the struggling actress, whom he was attempting to launch in South Indian cinema. Police are now probing whether she was aware of or complicit in the fraud. Authorities also believe more victims may surface in the coming weeks.
Legal Proceedings & Next Steps
Lodha was produced before the Borivli Metropolitan Magistrate Court and has been remanded to police custody. Officers are now tracing the flow of money and assessing the total scale of the scam.
Conclusion
This case underscores how digital surveillance and persistent police work can bring even the most elusive white-collar criminals to justice. With possible links to multiple financial crimes and a potential film industry angle, this story is far from over.
For more updates on major criminal crackdowns in Mumbai, see our story on Navi Mumbai’s hydro ganja racket bust.
