Nagpur | November 11, 2025: The Nagpur Police has exposed a nationwide cyber fraud syndicate that duped job seekers across 21 states through fake business offers and investment schemes. So far, 23 people have been arrested, while five others remain absconding. The investigation has uncovered transactions worth over ₹21 crore, allegedly laundered through online betting, hawala, and digital money-muling networks.
The Job Offer That Triggered the Case
The probe began after a complaint from Deepak Gaidhane (28), a resident of Gondia. Gaidhane was introduced to Sumit Patle, a Nagpur-based man who proposed a partnership in a “machinery tools business.” Tempted by the offer, Gaidhane handed over his Aadhaar and PAN cards to facilitate registration.
Soon after, the gang registered a fake firm named “Deepak Enterprises” under the Small Scale Industries Act and opened a current account in Gaidhane’s name at a Hingna branch bank. Between October 13 and 27, 2025, transactions worth ₹1.73 crore were routed through the account without his knowledge.
Further investigation revealed that the gang operated over 80 mule bank accounts across the country. Funds were moved in multiple layers before being converted into dollars and transferred abroad through hawala channels.
Chinese Apps, Encrypted Channels and Digital Deception
According to Police Commissioner Ravinder Singhal, the syndicate relied heavily on digital tools and cross-border coordination. Fraudsters lured victims with job and investment ads, then shared malicious APK files—often embedded with Chinese code—that stole bank credentials and OTPs once installed on victims’ phones.
“The masterminds are believed to be operating from China and Cambodia. We are tracing the international money trail with help from central agencies,” Singhal said.
Investigators found that the gang used illegal trading and betting apps, including RPMTA and AFMHNW, to route and disguise the illicit funds. Communication within the network was carried out through Telegram and WhatsApp groups using coded language.
Pan-India Network and Seizures
Data from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) revealed 174 complaints linked to the gang across India, including 25 cases from Maharashtra—notably from Mumbai, Thane, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur.
The police have so far registered seven FIRs, including two each in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Nagpur, and one in Thane. During coordinated raids, officers seized a large cache of documents and digital evidence, including:
- 8 shop and establishment registration certificates
- 9 fake rental agreements
- 61 cheque books
- 50 SIM cards
- 38 mobile phones
- 14 banners, rubber stamps, and forged seals
Additionally, the police froze ₹53 lakh across various bank accounts, seized a BMW car, and confiscated assets worth ₹17.47 lakh.
A Network Built on Trust and Technology
Police Commissioner Singhal described the operation as “a sophisticated blend of trust manipulation and technology misuse.”
“The accused exploited unemployed youth by promising them business opportunities. Using their documents, they created fake firms and funneled crores through mule accounts. Freezing these accounts and arresting the operators has crippled a major part of their network,” he said.
Authorities have urged citizens to avoid sharing personal documents or financial credentials with unknown entities and to verify the legitimacy of any online business or job offer before proceeding.
An Expanding Web of Digital Crime
Investigators believe the case could be linked to larger transnational cybercrime rackets operating from Southeast Asia. The police are now tracking five key absconding members suspected to have direct connections with foreign handlers.
This crackdown exposes not only the depth of India’s emerging cyber-laundering ecosystem, but also the urgent need for digital transparency and public vigilance in the age of cross-border financial crime.
