The North Cyber police have uncovered a sophisticated new modus operandi employed by fraudsters operating from abroad after arresting Mubasshir Rahatvelkar (43) and Suraj Khedkar (47) for facilitating cybercrimes by gaining illicit access to beneficiary bank accounts.
Unlike earlier cases where beneficiaries were lured with small commissions for lending their bank accounts, this gang’s strategy was far more elaborate. Victims were invited on free holiday packages lasting 2-3 days to resorts and three-star hotels in tourist spots like Mahabaleshwar and Pune. Post-transaction, beneficiaries were paid a small cash amount, further enticing their cooperation.
Police sources revealed that during these holiday trips, the accused would individually summon account holders to their rooms and obtain online access to their bank accounts. The gang’s mastermind, operating from Cambodia, used OTPs received on beneficiaries’ mobile phones to transfer large sums to other accounts.
Rahatvelkar, with a history of similar rackets in Cambodia, and Khedkar provided logistical support, organizing stays and gatherings. They deceived beneficiaries into believing they were part of a legal commission scheme, while their accounts were exploited for fraud.
This new tactic came to light following a Rs 20 lakh fraud case registered months ago at the North Cyber police station. Interrogation of an account beneficiary led investigators to uncover the holiday scam and the accused involved.
Under the guidance of senior North Cyber officials — including Police Inspector Sudhakar Humbe and Assistant PI Anuradha Patil — the investigation culminated in Rahatvelkar’s arrest from Katraj, Pune, and Khedkar’s from Ahilyanagar, Ahmednagar last month. Both remain in custody as investigations continue.
