Pune: Marathi Film Producer Arrested by Pimpri-Chinchwad Police in Rs 57.7 Lakh Cyber Fraud Case
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 29th July 2025: In a major breakthrough, the Cyber Police Station of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate (PCPC) has arrested a Marathi film producer in connection with a Rs 57.70 lakh cyber fraud case. The accused allegedly provided bank accounts to Chinese nationals, which were then used for fraudulent online transactions.
The arrested individual has been identified as Shivam Balkrushna Sanvatsarkar, a resident of Erandwane. A case has been registered against him under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to cheating, criminal breach of trust, and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Dr. Shivaji Pawar, the case was registered after a complainant approached the Cyber Police stating he had been duped of Rs 57,70,670. The victim had seen a video on YouTube that falsely claimed high returns from share market investments. Upon clicking a link provided below the video, he was directed to install an app called Abbott Wealth, where he began investing money. The app initially displayed a profit of Rs 5.15 crore, but when the complainant attempted to withdraw the amount, he found himself locked out. Realizing he had been defrauded, he approached the cyber police.
During the investigation, the police traced a portion of the defrauded amount to an IDFC Bank account registered under the name Balaji Enterprises, located in the Erandwane area. Further tracking led to Sanvatsarkar, who initially denied involvement, stating, “I am a film producer, why would I do this?” However, Assistant Police Inspector Praveen Swami skillfully interrogated him and secured a confession. Sanvatsarkar admitted to carrying out the fraud in collaboration with a Chinese national known only as Bambino.
A total of Rs 86.43 lakh has been recovered from the bank account used in the crime. Police have also seized two mobile phones from the accused. According to DCP Pawar, 15 cases have been registered against Sanvatsarkar across the country, and efforts to locate other accomplices are ongoing.
Media reports suggest that the accused has co-produced several Marathi films, mostly low-budget projects. However, he is also linked to one film featuring a prominent Marathi actor, in which he is listed as a co-producer.
This operation was carried out under the guidance of senior officials from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police and led by Senior Police Inspector Ravi Kiran Nale. Investigations are continuing to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the cyber fraud network.
