Cyber police in Nagpur have uncovered a massive fraud operation run by a Rajasthan-based syndicate led by Salim Khan. Khan, who masterminded the fraudulent activities behind the Lotus365 betting app, was arrested following an investigation that revealed his involvement in various crimes, including cricket betting and the creation of fake Facebook accounts of senior government officials.
According to police officials, Khan was found to have opened 1,658 bank accounts using fake SIM cards from various states, including Assam and West Bengal. These accounts were used for fraudulent transactions related to the Lotus365 betting app, which is allegedly linked to international criminal networks, including the Dubai-based syndicate of notorious gangster Dawood Ibrahim.
Salim Khan, a school dropout, was tracked down to Alwar district in Rajasthan and arrested by a team of cyber crime experts from Nagpur. The police investigation revealed that Khan had orchestrated a nationwide scam with over 220 complaints registered against him. Victims from states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and others were duped of crores of rupees.
The operation involved creating fake Facebook IDs of high-ranking officials, including IAS and IPS officers, to trick people into buying non-existent goods like furniture and materials purportedly belonging to officials who were being transferred. This gang, with a minor at its core, lured unsuspecting individuals by sending friend requests and convincing them to make payments for fake goods.
In addition to this, Khan’s syndicate was involved in facilitating illegal cricket betting through the Lotus365 app. The police discovered evidence of transactions totaling around Rs5 crore linked to Khan’s activities. Several other accomplices, including Shakir Khan, Innas Khan, and Rukumuddin Khan, were also arrested in connection with the fraud.
The police are now investigating the international dimensions of the app’s operations, as well as the involvement of Bollywood celebrities who may have endorsed the platform. As the investigation continues, the authorities are looking into potential money laundering activities and plans to summon individuals associated with the syndicate, including those linked to the fraudulent bank accounts.
