Money laundered through mule accounts, crypto wallets, and angadia routes traced to a Dubai-based syndicate.
Gandhinagar – In a major breakthrough against organised cybercrime, the Cyber Centre of Excellence, Gandhinagar, has uncovered an interstate and international cyber fraud syndicate that laundered over ₹200 crore through mule bank accounts, cryptocurrency transactions, and traditional angadia channels to a Dubai-based network.
According to officials, the accused operated a complex financial network by opening multiple bogus bank accounts across different states. Funds siphoned off from victims of online scams — including digital arrest, part-time job frauds, investment schemes, loan scams, and UPI-related frauds — were routed through these accounts before being withdrawn or converted into cryptocurrency.
The Investigation
Acting on specific intelligence inputs and technical surveillance, the cyber team led by Superintendent of Police Dr. Rajdeep Singh Jhala launched a coordinated operation across multiple districts.
A joint team comprising Police Inspectors G.B. Dodia, P.D. Makwana, and Kuldeep Parmar, along with technical experts and field officers, conducted simultaneous raids in Morbi, Surat, and Savarkundla, leading to the arrest of six key accused.
The Arrested Individuals
The following were arrested-
- Mahendra Shamjibhai Solanki, Morbi
- Rupen Pranjivanbhai Bhatia, Morbi
- Rakeshbhai Kantibhai Lania, Surendranagar
- Rakesh Kumar Chamanbhai Dekawadia, Surendranagar
- Vijay Nathabhai Khambhalya, Surat
- Pankaj Babubhai Kathiria, Surat
How the Network Operated
Investigators revealed that the accused registered fake companies and opened current accounts in multiple banks under those names. These accounts served as conduits for illicit funds collected from cyber fraud victims across India.
Fully aware that the funds were proceeds of crime, the accused either withdrew the money in cash or converted it into cryptocurrency. The laundered proceeds were then channelled to a Dubai-based handler via angadia couriers and crypto wallets, in exchange for commission.
A forensic examination of the seized mobile phones revealed links to over 100 bank accounts associated with 386 cybercrime cases nationwide, involving fraud worth more than ₹200 crore.
Seizures and Ongoing Probe
During the raids, the police seized 12 mobile phones, several SIM cards, and documents related to over 100 bank accounts connected to the fraud.
A senior cybercrime official said:
“This operation has exposed the growing nexus between domestic cyber fraud rings and international money laundering syndicates. The digital trail of crypto transactions and angadia routes is now being meticulously traced to identify cross-border collaborators.”
A Growing Challenge in India’s Cyber Landscape
The case highlights the evolving sophistication of financial cybercrime in India, where fraudulent money is increasingly being channelled through digital currencies and informal courier networks to evade detection.
Officials believe this syndicate represents only a fraction of a larger transnational cyber-financial network that uses digital technology, crypto assets, and parallel cash systems to disguise the origins of illegal proceeds.
