Visakhapatnam Cyber Crime Police have arrested a 45-year-old man in connection with an alleged ₹38 lakh impersonation fraud targeting the founder of a private school in George Town, Chennai.

According to the police, unidentified fraudsters allegedly used the school founder’s photograph as their WhatsApp display picture and contacted the school’s accounts manager, posing as the founder. The accounts manager was instructed to transfer ₹38 lakh to a bank account in Visakhapatnam and, believing the message to be genuine, made the online transfer. India Live

The investigation reportedly traced the money to a newly opened current account in Visakhapatnam in the name of Sri Sai Ganapathi Logistics. The funds were then transferred to other bank accounts.

Police identified the account holder as Pentha Gowri Shankar, 45, of Madhurawada. Investigators allege that he maintained a fake “mule” bank account and received money from fraud victims in exchange for a commission. A police team camped in Visakhapatnam and arrested him on October 2. Mobile phones, SIM cards and a bank cheque book were reportedly seized.