The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested Vijay alias Mukhi Patel, a Vanuatu citizen, for allegedly cheating a businessman of ₹3.18 crore by falsely promising to secure the release of ₹11 crore seized by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Police alleged that the accused claimed to have influence within central investigating agencies and used that claim to obtain large sums of money from the complainant. A case of cheating, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy has been registered against five accused, including a lawyer.
According to investigators, the complainant is the owner of an Ahmedabad-based angadia firm. In December 2024, the Enforcement Directorate conducted a search at the firm’s premises as part of a money laundering investigation and seized ₹11 crore. Shortly afterwards, Vijay Patel allegedly approached the businessman and claimed that he had strong connections within the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and could arrange the release of the seized money after deducting approximately 40 per cent as expenses.
Police said the accused allegedly executed a notarised agreement worth about ₹3.13 crore to gain the complainant’s confidence. Between December 2024 and July 2025, the complainant and his associates allegedly paid a total of ₹3.18 crore in instalments. Investigators stated that part of the money was delivered through the angadia network and in cash to individuals in Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The probe has further revealed that “coded currency note tokens” were allegedly used during the transactions.
Investigators also alleged that the accused persuaded the complainant to sign documents showing a fictitious investment of ₹13.2 crore in a jewellery company and obtained two signed blank cheques. The businessman later received a legal notice demanding repayment of the amount with 9 per cent annual interest. After neither the money seized by the ED nor the amount allegedly paid to the accused was recovered, the complainant approached the Ahmedabad Crime Branch and lodged a formal complaint.
According to the police, the investigation has revealed that the accused allegedly used the same modus operandi to target other individuals by claiming to have influence within central investigating agencies. Officials said he owns two luxury houses in Gujarat and drives a high-end electric vehicle. Police also stated that he had previously spent two months in judicial custody in connection with an alleged ₹120 crore fraud case and is currently out on bail.
Investigators said Vijay Patel is originally from Mehsana district in Gujarat. He reportedly lived in London for several years before moving to the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu in 2021, where he acquired citizenship. He returned to India in 2022 and has been residing in the country as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Police are continuing to investigate the role of four other suspected associates and are also examining whether additional victims were defrauded using the same scheme.
Authorities have appealed to anyone who may have been similarly deceived to come forward and assist the investigation. The case remains under investigation. The allegations against the accused are yet to be tested in court, and an arrest or registration of a criminal case does not constitute proof of guilt. The final outcome will be determined by the competent court on the basis of evidence and due legal proceedings.
