Mumbai Police bust suspected terror funding racket, 40 fake passports linked to accused

The Mumbai Police have cracked open what appears to be a terror funding network with links to a hawala operation, arresting a 49-year-old man who is suspected to have helped nearly 40 people get fake passports using forged papers.

The development has raised serious concerns over the scale of the operation and its possible links to cross-border financial networks, with investigators now examining whether the racket fed into a larger terror financing chain.

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The Anti-Terrorism Branch of the Special Branch carried out coordinated searches at three locations in Malad’s Kurar area, leading to the arrest of Mohammed Islam Ismail Khan, also known as Salim Rahmatullah Sheikh. During the raids, officials seized key documents, including a Kuwaiti Civil ID card and papers tied to multiple identities. The case may now be handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch for a deeper probe.

Fake identities and passport trail under scanner

According to police sources, documents belonging to around 40 individuals were recovered from the accused’s premises. Initial investigation suggests these may have been used to secure passports under false identities, pointing to a structured and potentially organised network.

Investigators also found two passports issued in the accused’s name. One was reportedly obtained in Hyderabad using a fake identity, while the other was issued in Mumbai. Officials say this indicates a pattern of identity manipulation that could have wider implications.

Foreign links and suspicious transactions raise red flags

The case gathered pace after intelligence inputs flagged suspicious financial activity linked to the accused. Further investigation revealed that he had travelled to Kuwait nearly 50 times over the past 22 years.

Police are now examining his overseas contacts and whether these visits were tied to financial transactions that could be part of a hawala or terror funding chain.

A significant amount of cash was also recovered from his residence, including bundles of Rs 500, Rs 200 and Rs 50 notes. Authorities are trying to determine the source of the money and how it was intended to be used.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing and multiple angles are being explored, including possible links to an international terror funding network. The findings so far suggest that the case could lead to the exposure of a larger fake passport racket operating across regions.