Pune Cyber Police Intensify Crackdown on Rs 22 Crore Online Share Trading Scam
In a significant development in the high-profile Rs 22 crore online share-trading fraud case, the Pune Cyber Police have apprehended four more individuals from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. This brings the total number of arrests in this elaborate financial scam to eight, marking a crucial breakthrough in the investigation.
Latest Arrests and Suspect Details
Joint Police Commissioner Ranjan Kumar Sharma confirmed the arrests of Sahil Shrisundaram (22), Vishwajeet Khandare (21), Abhjit Nade (21), and Dishant Kamble (22), all residents of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. These suspects are believed to have played key roles in the sophisticated fraud network that targeted an 85-year-old resident of Hadapsar.
Complex Money Trail and Financial Recovery
Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Pankaj Deshmukh revealed intricate details about the money laundering operation. The defrauded funds were initially funneled through multiple bank accounts in West Bengal, constituting the first layer of the transaction chain. Subsequently, the money was transferred to accounts in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, forming the second layer of this complex financial web.
Through meticulous examination of nearly 40,000 bank transactions, investigators successfully identified operators of mule bank accounts used to channel the illicit funds. This forensic financial analysis directly led police to the latest suspects. Authorities have frozen Rs 3.24 crore across multiple bank accounts where the fraud money had been parked, representing a substantial recovery in this ongoing investigation.
Earlier Arrests and Expanding Investigation
Prior to these latest apprehensions, police had already arrested Munilkumar Surendra Singh (51) from Ambarnath in Thane district, along with Akash Chandrashekhar Marathe (27), Lala Keshav Umap (26), and Parmeshwar Dilip Dabhade (23) from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The expanding arrest list indicates the widespread nature of this criminal network.
Suspect Profile and Modus Operandi
Senior Inspector Swapnali Shinde provided insights into the operational methods employed by the suspects. Dishant Kamble, who holds a BCS degree and works with a courier firm, is suspected of procuring mule bank accounts from economically disadvantaged individuals by offering them small financial incentives. Investigators believe Kamble may have also facilitated communication between local operatives and potentially foreign-based handlers by sharing bank account details through courier channels.
Case Origins and Victim Profile
The investigation originated from a complaint filed on January 19 by a retired entrepreneur who alleged he had been cheated of Rs 22 crore by fraudsters promising high returns from online share trading. The victim, an 85-year-old Hadapsar resident, fell prey to what appeared to be a legitimate investment opportunity that turned out to be an elaborate scam.
The Pune Cyber Police continue their probe into this massive financial fraud, examining digital evidence and financial records to identify any additional accomplices and recover more of the defrauded funds. This case highlights the growing sophistication of online financial crimes targeting vulnerable individuals and the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking complex digital money trails.
