Gujarat police have arrested Anatoly Mironov, a Russian national, in connection with a cyber fraud case involving a “digital arrest” scam. The victim, a city-based businessman, was duped of Rs17 lakh by criminals posing as Customs and police officers. Mironov, a resident of Orenburg, Russia, played a crucial role in the operation by acting as a “gatekeeper” for a Chinese-led crime syndicate.
Mironov, who entered India on a tourist visa last year, was responsible for monitoring bank account holders who received proceeds from the crime and assisted in transferring funds to gang-controlled accounts. He also helped convert some of the money into cryptocurrency.
The investigation began in October when the victim reported being extorted by fraudsters, who falsely claimed that a parcel containing fake passports, ATM cards, and drugs in his name had been seized by Customs. The money was transferred into an account belonging to Mahefulalam Shah, who was coerced into renting out his account for the illegal activities. Mironov’s involvement was uncovered after arrests were made, and he was found to be orchestrating transfers to various accounts, including cryptocurrency wallets, as directed by his Chinese handler.
The cyber crime cell arrested Mironov after obtaining a production warrant from a Pune jail, where he had previously been detained in connection with a similar case. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hardik Makadia explained that Mironov’s role as a “gatekeeper” was to oversee the transactions and ensure that the proceeds were efficiently moved across international borders.
This case highlights the increasingly sophisticated nature of international cybercrime operations, where criminals use multiple intermediaries and digital currencies to conceal their illicit activities.