Mumbai: Mumbai Police has stumbled upon a suspected payroll racket in which salaries worth about ₹6.41 crore were allegedly paid to 10 “ghost employees” who never served in the force. The fraud uncovered during a transfer and verification of payroll records, prompting a criminal case against five departmental staff members and a wider probe into possible financial irregularities. Bank accounts were allegedly opened in their names, and monthly salaries were regularly credited into those accounts, as reported by The Federal. Investigators believe payroll documents may have been manipulated during these periods to facilitate the unauthorized release of government funds. Police said every person linked to the alleged fraud will be scrutinised using documents, bank records and other evidence collected in the investigation.