In a major cyber fraud bust, the Pimpri Chinchwad Cyber Police arrested two individuals in connection with a Rs1.13 crore online forex trading scam that targeted a 63-year-old retired private firm manager. The accused, Mitesh Vora (34), a driver for a cab aggregator, and Kepin Mehta (41), a share trader, were arrested in Ahmedabad and Mira Bhayandar, respectively.
The operation was led by Assistant Police Inspector Pravni Swami and Sub-Inspector Sagar Poman, under the supervision of Senior Inspector Ravikiran Nale. Police said Mehta coordinated with foreign-based handlers and used Vora to withdraw cash from mule bank accounts, later transferring the money overseas.
Between October 2023 and February 12, 2024, the victim was lured into investing in a fake online forex trading scheme, transferring money across five bank accounts and even converting Rs22 lakh into digital currency. As part of the scam, the cybercriminals paid the victim Rs4.64 lakh, claiming it was profit from his initial investment to gain trust.
Investigators revealed that Vora and Mehta met while in Ahmedabad jail for unrelated crimes. After release, Mehta recruited Vora to assist in the fraud by withdrawing funds from various mule accounts. The two suspects, both residents of Ahmedabad, allegedly withdrew the victim’s money from banks in Ahmedabad and Borivali.
Police are continuing the investigation and following leads to arrest more individuals connected to what appears to be a larger international fraud network.
