The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/amp/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-malad-subway-stinks-as-sewage-overflow-goes-unchecked-for-months-23617834" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Malad</a> police have taken custody of a 62-year-old habitual offender who allegedly posed as a &ldquo;helpful social worker&rdquo; to cheat senior citizens of their hard-earned savings.
Brijkumar Santoshkumar Wadhwani was arrested last month by Bolinj police in a similar case. Police describe Wadhwani as a professional conman with multiple cheating cases registered across Maharashtra and Gujarat.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Malad-conman-1_e.jpg" alt="Brijkumar Santoshkumar Wadhwani befriends the 72-year-old complainant inside the SV Road branch of a nationalised bank. ILLUSTRATIONS/UDAY MOHITE" width="1280" height="720" /> Brijkumar Santoshkumar Wadhwani befriends the 72-year-old complainant inside the SV Road branch of a nationalised bank. ILLUSTRATIONS/UDAY MOHITE
Upon learning of his arrest, Police Sub-Inspector Jakalwad from <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/mumbai-loan-agent-held-for-siphoning-rs-3-5-lakh-from-women-borrowers-23617842" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Malad police</a> took custody of Wadhwani in a cheating case of Rs 3 lakh registered at Malad police station. He was produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody. Investigations are ongoing to identify more victims.
<h2>Wadhwani has several cases registered in&hellip;</h2>
&gt;&gt; Amravati &gt;&gt; Bhusawal &gt;&gt; Wardha &gt;&gt; Vadodara &gt;&gt; Gondia
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Malad-conman-2_e.jpg" alt="Wadhwani asks the man to write his details and flees taking advantage of the situation" width="1280" height="720" /> Wadhwani asks the man to write his details and flees taking advantage of the situation
<h2>About Brijkumar Santoshkumar Wadhwani</h2>
&gt;&gt; Originally from Bhopal, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/mp-portion-of-railway-overbridge-collapses-on-nh-45-in-jabalpur-during-ongoing-maintenance-work-23617888" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Madhya Pradesh</a> &gt;&gt; Does not live with family &gt;&gt; Travels across states targeting senior citizens inside banks
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Brijkumar-a_e.jpg" alt="PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT" width="1280" height="720" /> PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
&gt;&gt; Poses as a helpful assistant or social worker &gt;&gt; Uses stolen money to stay in hotels, and gamble &gt;&gt; Frequently projects himself as a frail, ill, senior citizen in court to secure bail
<h2>Tracked across states before arrest</h2>
&gt;&gt; Stayed at a dormitory in Dadar before fleeing &gt;&gt; Travelled between <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-s-dadar-station-redevelopment-finally-begins-after-years-of-delays-23607536" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Dadar</a>, Lucknow, Ayodhya, and Delhi to evade arrest &gt;&gt; Technical surveillance helped trace him back to Mumbai on January 26, 2026 &gt;&gt; Arrested by Bolinj police
<h2>What police seized</h2>
Mobile phone worth Rs 25,500 Cash from bank account amounting to Rs 1,51,287
<h2>Malad fraud case</h2>
The 72-year-old complainant had invested Rs 7 lakh in a senior citizen&rsquo;s fixed deposit scheme at the SV Road branch of a nationalised bank in 2018&nbsp; After the FD matured on January 1, 2026, he visited the bank with his son to transfer the amount Wadhwani befriended complainant inside bank&nbsp; Filled withdrawal slips and took a cheque from the victim Accompanied complainant to cashier, where Rs 3 lakh was withdrawn&nbsp; Claimed complainant&rsquo;s bag was &ldquo;too flimsy&rdquo; and convinced him to keep the cash in his own bag Distracted complainant by asking him to write his name and address on paper Fled with Rs 3 lakh cash Amount Rs 3 lakh
<h2>Virar fraud case</h2>
On January 8 at the Virar West branch of the same nationalised bank, Wadhwani gained the confidence of an elderly customer Convinced him to withdraw Rs 2 lakh on the pretext of transferring funds Pocketed the cash instead of depositing it&nbsp; Case registered at Bolinj police station Amount Rs 2 lakh

The Malad police have taken custody of a 62-year-old habitual offender who allegedly posed as a “helpful social worker” to cheat senior citizens

Mumbai: Malad police get custody of 62-year-old ‘helpful’ conman

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Accused would target senior citizens at banks, offering to help them posing as social worker; investigations are ongoing to identify more victims

Mumbai: Malad police get custody of 62-year-old ‘helpful’ conman

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Home / Mumbai / Mumbai Crime News / Article / Mumbai: Malad police get custody of 62-year-old ‘helpful’ conman

Mumbai: Malad police get custody of 62-year-old ‘helpful’ conman

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