The Surat Cyber Cell has cracked an international cyber fraud network, arresting siblings Shraddha Gajbhie and Neelkanth Gajbhie in a Rs69.8 lakh scam involving a Surat-based engineer. The investigation revealed links to Cambodia and China, highlighting a sophisticated cross-border cybercrime operation.
The main accused, Shraddha Gajbhie, 40, surprised authorities with her educational and professional background. A highly educated woman with a degree in music and proficiency in Chinese, Shraddha was expected to pursue a corporate career but instead became a key “recharge agent” for a Chinese cyber mafia. Her brother, Neelkanth, a fashion designer from Nagpur, was also involved.
Shraddha, who lived in Hyderabad, completed a certificate course in Chinese in Taiwan after 12th grade, later earning a B.A. in Music and a diploma in Chinese. She initially secured a job with a Chinese company, Macro Computing Solution, which turned out to be a “cyber fraud factory” targeting victims in India, other Asian countries, and the U.S. using AI, fake investment schemes, and digital scams.
While in Cambodia, Shraddha worked as a translator reporting to a Chinese manager named Licham. Due to poor working conditions, she returned to India after two months but stayed connected with the network. Following Licham’s instructions, the siblings recharged 430 SIM cards in just two days, used for fraudulent calls in India. Payments went through Neelkanth’s SBI account, withrS1.29 lakh used for SIM recharges and Rs43,000 as commission.
The victim, a Surat engineer, was lured via Facebook by a woman posing as Sheela Shetty, an import-export businessman. The engineer invested Rs20 lakh in a fake gold-mining scheme. When he sought a refund, scammers demanded an additional Rs41 lakh for “taxes” and “margin money,” totaling Rs69.8 lakh, none of which was returned.
DCP Bishakha Jain confirmed that the fraudulent funds were routed through Shraddha’s Nagpur-based company, Essence, where she is the director. Raids in Hyderabad and Nagpur led to the arrest of both siblings. During interrogation, Shraddha admitted to recharging SIM cards under Licham’s instructions, though police suspect deeper involvement. The SIMs were linked to 34 other fraud complaints across India.
Mobile phones, banking records, and other evidence were seized. Investigators are examining whether the siblings were involved in larger scams or if Essence acted as a front for money laundering. The case underscores potential threats to India’s internal security due to the scam’s international connections. The Surat Cyber Cell has obtained a four-day police remand for the accused.
