A private cyber expert, Devendra Patel, was arrested on charges of stealing cryptocurrency worth approximately Rs 41 lakh ($48,300) during a police raid related to a call centre investigation. Patel, who was initially assisting the local crime branch, used his position to divert the funds into his own account.
Patel was arrested on Wednesday after the police uncovered evidence linking him to the illicit transaction. Despite his initial attempt to mislead the investigators, Patel eventually confessed when confronted with concrete proof. According to authorities, Patel admitted to using around Rs 30 lakh of the stolen funds to invest in the stock market, lending Rs 8 lakh to friends, and spending Rs 2 lakh.
The raid, which took place at a residence in Danilimda, was led by PSI M R Brahmbhatt of Zone 6 LCB. Patel had been hired to examine mobile phones and a laptop seized during the raid. Initially, he falsely reported that no data had been found, but his claim was disproven when forensic experts tracked the unauthorized transfer of cryptocurrency.
Ayaz Sheikh, who allegedly operated the call centre from his house in Danilimda, later told police that cryptocurrency had been transferred from his wallet to another account. The transfer was made during the raid, prompting the police to file a complaint and investigate the matter further.
Patel, who holds a master’s degree in computer applications, had discovered that Sheikh possessed a significant amount of cryptocurrency. In collaboration with a friend, Patel transferred the funds from Sheikh’s wallet to his own account and then to a third party’s wallet during the raid. The police arrested Patel after tracing two mobile phones found in his possession, linking him to the illegal transactions.
A case of theft, fraud, and breach of trust under the Information Technology Act has been filed against Patel at the Maninagar police station. The police are continuing their investigation to determine Patel’s accomplices, whether he has committed similar crimes elsewhere, and if he is wanted in other cases.
