The Maharashtra Nodal Cyber Police has taken a major step in a massive cyber fraud case by submitting an extensive chargesheet before a court. This document, spanning a staggering 2,500 pages, details a sophisticated Rs 58.1 crore 'digital arrest' con that terrified victims using impersonated officials and a complex financial maze.
The Anatomy of a Digital Kidnapping
The elaborate scam began in August 2025, targeting a pharmaceutical businessman and his wife. The couple received threatening calls and video interactions from individuals posing as officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The fraudsters claimed the victims' bank accounts had received suspicious funds linked to money laundering.
To make the threat appear real, the accused showed them fabricated video calls and staged clips. These videos depicted fake police stations, CBI and ED offices, and even mock courtrooms complete with actors playing the roles of judges, officers, and lawyers. Under this sustained psychological pressure and the guise of a necessary investigation, the couple was coerced into transferring their entire life savings, amounting to over Rs 58.1 crore, with false promises of its return after 'clearance'.
A Multi-Layered Web of Money Movement
The investigation peeled back the layers of this operation to reveal a shocking network designed to move and hide the illicit money. According to the chargesheet, the fraudsters created over 10,000 mule bank accounts. Many of these were opened in the names of fictitious companies using forged KYC documents and fake SIM cards.
The stolen funds were not moved directly. Instead, they travelled through a deliberately convoluted path of 13 layers of accounts to obscure their trail. This network included at least 27 active mule accounts identified in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, before the money was eventually siphoned overseas. Investigators suspect the masterminds are operating from outside India, with locations like Cambodia and Dubai under the scanner. One key handler, identified as Vijay Khanna, is believed to be operating from abroad.
Following the Money Trail
The chargesheet names 32 arrested persons and 41 wanted accused, detailing how the massive sum was split and routed. A firm named Jai Bhavani Mechanical, owned by arrested Gujarat businessman Jayeshbhai Dapa, allegedly received nearly Rs 15.3 crore.
Other significant sums were traced to accounts in the names of entities like Meghdoot Trading (owned by Sakalkumar Sahu), Jacky Explorer (owned by Chirag Sharma), SBV Foundation, and M-Stak Innovation, receiving amounts between Rs 1.9 crore and Rs 2.4 crore.
In a detailed breakdown, the chargesheet states:
- Devendranath Raut of Dadra and Nagar Haveli received Rs 2.1 crore via Sainath Enterprises, claiming he transferred funds on instructions from wanted accused Shratik.
- Accounts linked to wanted accused Vijay Gaikwad, Abhijit Jamble, and Ratnadeep received Rs 3.4 crore.
- AVB Foundation, owned by Akshay Meena of Bhilwara, received Rs 30 lakh.
- Maybank Indonesia accounts linked to Technomist Softwares and Arkit Solutions, opened by Devendra alias Sunny and Mukesh Bhatia, received Rs 50 lakh.
- Accused Katunga Raju Samuel Prasad from Andhra Pradesh allegedly got Rs 2.4 crore through an account in the name of a religious trust.
A Landmark Case in Cyber Policing
The filing of this voluminous chargesheet marks a critical phase in one of the most elaborate cyber fraud cases investigated in the state. It highlights the evolving methods of cybercriminals who use technology not just to hack systems, but to orchestrate full-blown psychological operations against victims. The case underscores the urgent need for public awareness about such 'digital arrest' or 'virtual kidnapping' scams, where authority is faked to create fear and compliance.
For the Maharashtra Cyber Police, unraveling this multi-state and international network represents a significant operational challenge. The chargesheet now sets the stage for judicial proceedings against the extensive network of individuals accused of orchestrating and facilitating this multi-crore deception.
