In a major breakthrough, the Pimpri Cyber Police have dismantled a high-stakes cyber fraud operation involving a fake share trading app, resulting in a Rs71 lakh loss for a local investor. The investigation spanned over 4,000 km and led to the arrest of four individuals linked to an international cybercrime ring.
The case began when the victim was tricked into joining a chat group promoting a bogus trading app that promised lucrative returns. Investigators discovered that Rs50 lakh had been funneled through a single bank account registered to Alfahad Arif Momin (27) from Milli Colony, Dharashiv.
On interrogation, Momin admitted that the account was opened at the behest of Ajay Patil alias Shivprasad Khudase (39) from Latur, who was quickly taken into custody. The investigation then tracked down two more accused: Surya alias Rahul Singh Karnawat, a resident of Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, and Premshankar Baldev Bairagi from Bhilwara, Rajasthan. Both were arrested in Jaipur following a police-led trap.
According to police, Khudase orchestrated the setup of multiple bank accounts used for illicit financial activities. Karnawat and Bairagi were found to have connections with foreign operatives based in China, Cambodia, and Dubai, suggesting a wider international conspiracy behind the operation.
In just two days, the fraudulent accounts processed transactions worth Rs3.25 crore. The operation was spearheaded by Police Commissioner Vinaykumar Chaube and carried out by Inspector Ravikiran Nale, Assistant Inspector Pravin Swami, Sub-Inspector Sagar Poman, and Vidya Patil.
The investigation continues as authorities probe deeper into the global network supporting these cybercrimes.
