Ahmedabad | The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested a husband-wife duo in connection with a ₹2.27 crore “recovery scam” involving false assurances of retrieving money lost in an overseas fraud case in Canada.
The accused have been identified as Anil Bhikhabhai Vibhani and his wife Vimmi. According to investigators, the couple allegedly projected themselves as influential intermediaries with the ability to recover large sums of money stuck in foreign jurisdictions, convincing the complainant to make repeated payments over an extended period.
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Officials said the victim was made to believe that formal legal and administrative procedures were being initiated to recover the allegedly lost funds. Between August 2025 and June 2026, the accused are said to have collected ₹2.27 crore through a combination of cash payments, bank transfers, and credit card transactions.
Investigators noted that the duo constructed a carefully designed narrative of international influence and procedural complexity, which was used to justify repeated “advance payments” for initiating recovery work. Despite continuous assurances, no actual recovery process was ever carried out.
EOW officials said the accused used sustained psychological manipulation, repeatedly assuring the complainant that the recovery was in its final stages, thereby maintaining trust and ensuring continued financial transfers. The strategy allegedly relied on creating urgency and credibility through fabricated updates and progress claims.
During the investigation, authorities recovered mobile phones and financial documents that are now being examined to trace the flow of funds. Preliminary analysis suggests that mule bank accounts were used extensively to route and layer transactions, making it difficult to trace the money trail directly.
Officials said these accounts were used to distribute funds across multiple intermediaries, effectively masking the origin and destination of the proceeds of crime. Investigators are now working to identify the ultimate beneficiaries of the transactions.
The probe has also revealed possible links to a wider network involved in similar financial deception schemes. Authorities suspect that the accused may have operated as part of a larger ecosystem engaging in cross-border frauds and digitally coordinated scams.
Police said the operation followed a structured fraud model involving multiple layers of bank accounts, digital payment gateways, and communication platforms designed to avoid detection. The accused are also believed to have maintained contact with overseas handlers who allegedly provided instructions and coordinated operations remotely.
Investigators are examining whether similar investment, trading, or fund recovery scams were conducted in other states using the same modus operandi. Officials believe the pattern indicates a systematic and organised financial fraud network rather than an isolated incident.
The seized electronic devices and communication records are expected to provide crucial evidence regarding the structure of the network and the roles played by various participants. Authorities are also analysing encrypted messages and transaction logs to map the complete operational chain.
Officials said mule accounts played a central role in laundering funds and dispersing proceeds across different financial channels. The Economic Offences Wing has intensified efforts to freeze suspicious accounts and prevent further movement of illicit funds.
Further arrests are likely as the investigation expands to identify additional collaborators and intermediaries linked to the fraud network. Officials added that the case highlights the increasing complexity of cyber-enabled financial crimes involving cross-border coordination and digital anonymity tools.
Preliminary findings indicate that the accused relied heavily on social engineering techniques to gain the victim’s trust before introducing staged investment and recovery procedures. Communication through encrypted messaging platforms reportedly played a key role in coordinating transactions and instructions.
Authorities are now mapping the complete fund trail to determine the final beneficiaries and recoverable assets. The investigation remains active, with digital forensics expected to play a decisive role in establishing accountability.
Officials have urged the public to remain cautious of individuals claiming guaranteed recovery of lost funds, particularly in cases involving foreign jurisdictions. They advised verifying credentials and avoiding upfront payments without legal confirmation.
The case is being treated as part of a broader pattern of organised cyber-enabled financial frauds, prompting enhanced coordination between financial institutions and enforcement agencies to track and disrupt such networks.
