The Maharashtra Nodal Cyber Police has taken a significant step in a massive cyber fraud case, submitting a voluminous 2,500-page chargesheet to a magistrate's court. The document pertains to a sophisticated Rs 58-crore 'digital arrest' con that saw 32 individuals arrested and names 41 others as wanted accused.
The Elaborate Web of Deception and Mule Accounts
Investigators revealed that the accused executed a multi-layered fraud, not only impersonating senior officers from premier agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) but also establishing a complex network of bank accounts to launder money. The chargesheet uncovers a staggering over 10,000 mule accounts, many of which were opened using forged KYC documents and fake SIM cards under the names of fictitious companies.
The illicit funds were moved rapidly through a 13-layer web of accounts across states before being siphoned overseas. Police identified at least 27 active mule accounts in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan that were part of this chain. The masterminds behind this extensive racket are suspected to be operating from outside India, with locations like Cambodia and Dubai under the scanner. One key handler, identified as Vijay Khanna, is believed to be abroad.
How the 'Digital Arrest' Terrified Victims
The fraud came to light in August 2025 when a pharmaceutical businessman and his wife were targeted. The couple was subjected to a terrifying ordeal through phone calls and video interactions by individuals posing as CBI and ED officials. They were falsely informed that their bank accounts had received suspicious funds linked to money laundering.
To make the threat appear authentic, the fraudsters conducted fake video calls and showed staged video clips. These clips depicted police stations, CBI and ED offices, and even mock courtrooms complete with actors posing as judges, officers, and lawyers. Under this prolonged guise of a fake investigation, the couple was coerced into transferring their entire life savings of more than Rs 58.1 crore, with false promises of the money being returned after a 'clearance'.
Tracking the Money Trail and Ongoing Probe
The chargesheet details how the massive sum was routed through various entities. A firm named Jai Bhavani Mechanical, owned by arrested Gujarat businessman Jayeshbhai Dapa, allegedly received Rs 15.25 crore, which was then further distributed. Other entities like Meghdoot Trading, Jacky Explorer, SBV Foundation, and M-Stak Innovation received sums ranging from Rs 1.85 crore to Rs 2.4 crore.
Further tracing revealed:
- Devendranath Raut received Rs 2.1 crore via Sainath Enterprises, claiming he transferred funds for a wanted accused named Shratik.
- Rs 3.4 crore was tracked to accounts linked to wanted accused Vijay Gaikwad, Abhijit Jamble, and Ratnadeep.
- AVB Foundation got Rs 30 lakh.
- Maybank Indonesia accounts linked to Technomist Softwares and Arkit Solutions received Rs 50 lakh.
- An account in the name of a religious trust in Andhra Pradesh received Rs 2.4 crore.
The police investigation remains active, with efforts focused on tracing the overseas handlers, locating the 41 wanted accused, and freezing additional accounts linked to this sprawling network. The chargesheet marks a crucial milestone, but the hunt for the international masterminds continues.
