In a major breakthrough, the Vadodara Cyber Crime Unit has arrested 17 individuals involved in an interstate cybercrime racket that duped a Vadodara resident of over Rs94 lakh. The fraudsters allegedly enticed the victim to download a fake stock market application, leading to significant financial loss. The arrests were made on Wednesday, and the accused have been remanded in two days’ police custody.
The racket was uncovered following a complaint filed by Rajiv Ramakrishna, who reported being swindled out of Rs94.18 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam. According to his complaint, filed on March 30, Ramakrishna was lured by a social media advertisement that promised substantial returns on stock market investments. The fraudsters then added him to a WhatsApp group called C6 Blackrock Stocks Pull Up, where they encouraged him to submit personal details through an online form.
The victim was later transferred to another WhatsApp group called C3 Angel Broking Customer Care, where a person posing as an executive called him to confirm that his application had been approved. He was then sent a link to a fake mobile app, ANGELBG, which included forged SEBI registration details to appear legitimate. Trusting the app’s apparent authenticity, the victim was provided with a username and password, and the app showed him significant profits, convincing him to invest more.
Over time, Rajiv Ramakrishna deposited Rs94.18 lakh in multiple installments into various accounts provided by the scammers. However, when he tried to withdraw his profits, he found that the transactions were blocked and the fraudsters cut all communication. Realizing that he had been tricked, Ramakrishna approached the police, leading to the launch of an investigation.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Abrar Khan Pathan
- Shahrukh Vohra
- Gomcy Dave
- Salim Miya Shaikh
- Saiyed Iqtiyar
- Zarar Saudagar
- Mir Salim
- Wasim Belim
- Mohammad Aftab Beg
- Adnan Shaikh
- Liyaqat Shaikh
- Mehboob Ibrahim
- Shahrukh Dhobi
- Sahil Shaikh
- Kabir Mansuri
- Sohil Shaikh
- Ramizkhali Qadri
