Overview

• Vinod Vyankat Bavale, 57, was arrested by Mumbai Crime Branch’s Cyber Cell for running a fraudulent website offering high-security registration plates (HSRPs).
• The fake portal charged Rs 400 for two-wheelers, Rs 700 for four-wheelers, and Rs 1,500 for trucks, often without delivering the plates.
• Investigators traced the website, indnumberplate.com, to Bengaluru, where Bavale operated the scheme after his printing business shut down during the pandemic.
• The scam came to light following a May 2024 complaint by Assistant Transport Commissioner Gajanan Nana Thombre, with over 40 victims identified so far.
• Authorities are investigating additional suspects and addressing concerns about fake HSRP links reported by official contractors to prevent further fraud.