Gujarat’s Cyber Center of Excellence has uncovered an alleged cyber fraud network involving ₹1,071 crore and 1,090 cybercrime cases, with investigators tracing the operation through 1,754 bank accounts and cryptocurrency transactions. A 25-year-old BCA graduate, Rafiqul Alam, has been arrested and is alleged to have been in direct contact with Chinese cybercriminals.
Police said the network targeted people across several states through digital arrest scams and other forms of cyber fraud. Senior citizens in Ahmedabad were among those allegedly targeted. Investigators said victims were approached by people posing as officials from agencies such as the police, CBI and ED, or other government bodies.
Victims Kept on Video Calls, Pressured to Transfer Money
According to SP Vivek Bheda, fraudsters allegedly intimidated victims by accusing them of involvement in child pornography, illegal online activity or other serious offences. Victims were then subjected to what was presented as a “digital arrest” and pressured into transferring money.
The victims were allegedly kept continuously on video calls while their movements were monitored. Psychological pressure was applied until payments were made. Apart from Ahmedabad, victims in Surat and Jamnagar were among those rescued from being cheated, along with people in five other states.
Police said the alleged proceeds were moved through 1,754 bank accounts in split transactions. Instead of retaining money in a single account, the funds were distributed across multiple accounts in an apparent attempt to obscure the financial trail.
Investigators found that some transactions were completed within three hours, making the movement of funds more difficult to trace.
Fraud Proceeds Allegedly Converted Into Cryptocurrency
The investigation also found that money obtained through the alleged fraud was converted into cryptocurrency after passing through various bank accounts and was then sent abroad.
During examination of Alam’s mobile phone, investigators found 23 cryptocurrency wallets. Transactions worth around ₹16 crore were detected while examining activity associated with these wallets.
Police said one of the most significant aspects of the investigation was Alam’s alleged direct contact with Chinese cybercriminals. Investigators are examining whether money obtained by other members of the network was similarly converted into cryptocurrency and transferred to a China-linked network.
Police have seized Alam’s mobile phone, bank account information, cryptocurrency wallet details and other digital evidence. Investigators are also examining whether additional people were involved in the network.
Cybercrime Authorities Issue Public Warning
The Cyber Center of Excellence has urged people to remain cautious when receiving video calls from anyone claiming to represent the police, CBI, ED, Supreme Court or another government agency and demanding money by threatening involvement in criminal cases.
Authorities advised people not to panic if callers accuse them of offences such as child pornography or other serious crimes. People have also been cautioned against sharing OTPs, banking information, Aadhaar details or money with unknown individuals.
Anyone receiving such suspicious communication has been advised to report the matter immediately to the nearest police station or the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.
The investigation into the wider network remains underway, with police examining the financial trail, cryptocurrency transactions and digital evidence to identify other people who may have participated in the alleged operation.
