MUMBAI: The South Cybercrime Branch police have arrested three individuals for assisting cyber fraudsters who allegedly tricked a 59-year-old retiree from South Mumbai into investing nearly Rs 7 crore in online share trading. The victim was shown his investment and profits reaching Rs 149 crore on the accused's fraudulent website.
Details of the Arrests
Those arrested were identified as Dayanand Suresh Kolekar, 31, Dhanajay Sagvekar, 36, and Sukrut Bhosale, 33. Kolekar and Bhosale are residents of Bandar Pakhadi, Kandivli (West), while Sagvekar resides in Jogeshwari. The complainant transferred Rs 6.81 crore to various accounts through 48 transactions between April 11 and May 27.
Legal Proceedings
The First Information Report (FIR) was filed on May 28, invoking charges of cheating and forgery under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and identity theft under the Information Technology Act, against 10 individuals. The cyber team, led by Senior Inspector Nandkumar Gopale, PI Suresh Bhoye, and API Deepak Desle, is investigating the case.
Financial Trail
The accounts provided by the accused received a total of Rs 76 lakh from the victim's money. Police revealed that the complainant was coerced into transferring Rs 35 lakh and Rs 15 lakh from his two accounts in private banks to an account provided by the wanted accused, under the promise of high profits in the share market. Bank records showed the account belonged to M/s Aluvanta Traders Pvt Ltd in Borivli, with Kolekar and Sagvekar as directors. Another Rs 26 lakh was transferred to an account registered under the same company with the same directors.
Arrests and Investigation
Using technical intelligence, police arrested the accused. Bhosale allegedly assisted the other two in opening these companies. When police raided the company's address, it was found locked. The accused running it had fled to Rajasthan. Police stated there are around 15 cases against the wanted accused.
