Surat Cybercrime Police Arrest Two More in Major Gang Bust
In a significant development, the Surat cybercrime police have apprehended two additional members of the notorious Milan Darji cybercrime gang. This latest action elevates the total number of arrests in this extensive case to 19 individuals. The crime branch has invoked the stringent Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime Act (GujCTOC) against Darji and his associates, following a thorough investigation that uncovered their involvement in a staggering 1,867 cyberfraud complaints. These complaints are intricately linked to 1,029 bank accounts, highlighting the vast scale of the criminal operation.
Details of the Latest Arrests and Gang Operations
Acting on a credible tip-off, police officials successfully located and detained the two accused, who were hiding in Surat. The arrested individuals have been identified as Mayur Kakadiya, aged 30, and Vishal Godhani, also 30 years old. According to investigators, Kakadiya had been residing in Dubai alongside the gang's mastermind, Milan Darji. His primary role within the syndicate was to withdraw dirhams from ATMs located in Dubai and subsequently hand over the cash to Darji, facilitating the laundering of illicit funds.
In contrast, Vishal Godhani allegedly played a crucial supporting role by supplying bank accounts and their associated kits to other accused members. This included individuals such as Ajay Italiya and Jalpesh Nadiyadara, who were previously arrested along with 15 others in connection with this case. The racket first came to public attention in October 2024 when police conducted a raid on an office situated in Mota Varachha. This operation led to the bust of a massive cyberfraud scheme valued at approximately Rs 197 crore, which was allegedly connected to Chinese criminal gangs.
Extensive Network and Financial Impact
During the ongoing investigation, authorities meticulously traced 1,029 bank accounts that had received funds from victims of cyberfraud. Officials also discovered 215 First Information Reports (FIRs) and 1,867 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP), all linked to these accounts. Milan Darji and his associates are accused of systematically layering, laundering, and transferring the proceeds generated from cyberfraud activities perpetrated by Chinese gangs across the globe. Darji is reported to have operated this 46-member gang from Dubai, with Surat police having arrested eleven of them to date.
Separate Arrest in Investment Fraud Case
In a related but distinct development, Surat cybercrime police have made a third arrest concerning two separate share market investment fraud cases, involving a total sum of about Rs 20 lakh. The individual apprehended is Hiren Sojitra, who allegedly provided his personal bank account to receive the proceeds derived from these criminal activities. The scam involved luring two victims based in Surat by promising exceptionally high returns on share market investments. The perpetrators convinced the victims to download a specific mobile application, through which they transferred their money. Subsequently, the victims found themselves unable to withdraw any funds, realizing they had been defrauded.
Investigators revealed that they have identified 12 cyberfraud complaints associated with Sojitra's bank account. Shockingly, these complaints indicate that approximately Rs 17.97 crore in fraudulent money had been deposited into this account, underscoring the significant financial impact of such cybercrimes. This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by Surat police to combat various forms of cyberfraud, from large-scale organized gangs to individual investment scams, ensuring greater security for citizens in the digital age.
