Police in Gujarat's Junagadh district have made a significant arrest in a complex cyberfraud case, detaining a 34-year-old monk alleged to be the mastermind behind a network that used rented bank accounts to siphon off illicit funds.
The Arrest and the Charges
Kalyangiri, also known as Ketan Siddhpara, was taken into custody on Tuesday by the Junagadh Taluka police. A case had been registered against him and others a day earlier, on Monday, at the same police station. Head constable Suresh Karetha filed the FIR under Sections 317 (2) and (4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertain to receiving and dealing in stolen property, along with relevant sections of the Information Technology Act.
Unraveling the Fraud Network
The investigation traces back to a case registered on December 12 against one Abhay Parsaniya at the B Division police station for cyberfraud. It was discovered that approximately Rs 9 lakh obtained through cybercrime had been deposited into Parsaniya's bank account. Parsaniya allegedly admitted to renting out his account to Bhargav Purohit for a commission of Rs 19,000.
Simultaneously, an investigation under Operation Mule Hunt by Vanthali police station revealed another rented account. Around Rs 15 lakh from cyberfraud proceeds was found deposited in the bank account of Ravi Sutreja, a labourer. Sutreja told police he too had rented his account to Bhargav Purohit, for a payment of Rs 5,000.
The Monk as the Alleged Mastermind
The arrest of Bhargav Purohit led investigators to the alleged prime orchestrator. "During Purohit's questioning, it emerged that the prime orchestrator was the monk Kalyangiri, who lives at Kerala village in Junagadh district," said Inspector Jatin Patel of the B Division police station.
Police scrutiny of Kalyangiri's three bank accounts uncovered a direct link to eight separate complaints filed on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP). The total amount deposited from cyberfraud into these accounts was a staggering Rs 41 lakh.
Preliminary findings indicate that Kalyangiri, who runs a cow service trust in Kerala village, manages one of the three accounts himself. The investigation suggests he, along with Purohit and others, systematically rented bank accounts from individuals to layer and launder money obtained through cyberfraud. The victims in this case include one person from Gujarat and another from Telangana, who were defrauded in stock market investment scams.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Probe
This case highlights the growing trend of cybercriminals using 'money mules'—individuals who rent out or sell their bank accounts for a commission. These accounts are then used to receive stolen funds, making the money trail harder to follow. The Junagadh police's coordinated effort, involving multiple stations and Operation Mule Hunt, was crucial in piecing together the network from the low-level account renters to the alleged mastermind.
The arrest of a religious figure in such a scheme adds a shocking dimension to the crime. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to trace the full extent of the fraud network and identify all victims.
