Delhi Police has arrested a key member of an international investment fraud syndicate from Mopa airport in Goa. The accused, who operated from Dubai, played a crucial role in arranging mule bank accounts for the gang. The case came to light after a resident of Hanumangarh in Rajasthan reported being cheated of ₹61.72 lakh in the name of a fake investment scheme.
Police identified the accused as Rhonak Jagdish Bhai Thakkar, who was apprehended on February 5 upon his arrival in India. Investigators said the fraudsters posed as representatives of M/s Globe Capital Market Limited and lured victims with promises of high returns from stock market investments.
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Modus operandi
The complainant was contacted through phone calls and online platforms and persuaded to invest with assurances of substantial profits. Initially, small gains were shown to build trust. Once confidence was established, the victim was asked to transfer larger amounts into multiple bank accounts. When he later attempted to withdraw funds, the fraudsters demanded additional payments in the name of taxes and processing charges.
Mule account network
Police said the accused coordinated the opening of bank accounts in India from Dubai and supplied them to the syndicate. These mule accounts were used to quickly route the defrauded money through several layers, making the transaction trail difficult to trace.
Arrest through digital trail
The cyber team tracked bank transactions, call detail records and IP logs to identify the suspect. After receiving information about his arrival in India, a trap was laid at Goa airport, leading to his arrest.
Further revelations expected
Investigators believe custodial interrogation will reveal details about other gang members, overseas links and the money-laundering network. Efforts are also underway to identify the beneficiaries and accounts used in the fraud.
Investor advisory
- Invest only through SEBI-registered entities
- Do not trust unsolicited calls or messages offering investment opportunities
- Be wary of promises of unusually high returns
- Verify a company’s registration and official website before transferring money
The probe is ongoing, and police are searching for other members of the syndicate.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
