Gandhinagar | December 7, 2025: In what officials are calling the largest cybercrime operation in Gujarat’s history, the State Cyber Crime Cell–CID Crime has busted a sprawling network responsible for siphoning off over ₹804 crore through elaborate digital frauds.
At the centre of the operation is Rahul Rajesh kumar Agrawal, a resident of Devgadhbaria in Dahod district, who has been identified as the “financial brain” of the racket. His expertise in digital transactions and money routing allegedly made him the key operator managing the flow of funds within the syndicate.
CID’s Landmark Operation: Dubai Links and a Trail of 1,549 Cyber Offences
The breakthrough came after a months-long investigation by the Cyber Centre of Excellence, which tracked a network believed to be operating out of Dubai.
Preliminary findings reveal that the gang orchestrated 1,549 cybercrimes, including digital arrest scams, UPI-based frauds, investment traps, and deposit rackets. CID officials confirmed that the operation extended beyond Gujarat, with footprints in Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Telangana, where multiple “dummy firms” and fake accounts were used to launder the proceeds.
Each fake company maintained bank accounts to show inflow of “business funds,” while in reality, the transactions were linked to fraudulent digital payments and phishing activities targeting unsuspecting citizens.
Six Arrested, Fake Scrap Business Used to Launder Crores
The CID has arrested six key members of the network: Kamlesh Ashok Sen, Sagar Ashok Sen, Sajid Firozbhai Khirani, Sohil Sadruddin Wadhwaniya, Amin Akbarbhai Bhayani, and Rahul Agrawal.
Investigators revealed that Sajid, Sohil, and Amin operated a scrap trading business, which was allegedly used as a front to launder the scam’s proceeds. The gang reportedly purchased over 200 scrap trucks and made cash payments exceeding ₹20 crore to mask the origins of the funds.
Meanwhile, Kamlesh and Sagar facilitated over 270 bank accounts, which served as transactional hubs for circulating the illicit money through multiple layers a classic “layering” technique to obscure the trail from authorities.
Rahul Agrawal: From ‘Payment Processor’ to the Syndicate’s Financial Strategist
According to investigators, Rahul Agrawal’s role was central to the functioning of the entire operation. Acting as a “payment processor,” he routed money through various accounts and ensured its final transfer to the masterminds via hawala and angadia networks.
His proficiency in banking systems, fintech platforms, and digital payment mechanisms allowed him to design sophisticated fund-flows that blurred the line between legal and illegal transactions. Police sources described him as the “financial operator” who transformed raw scam money into seemingly legitimate revenue streams.
A History of Crime: Multiple Cases Across States
Further digging revealed that Rahul Agrawal was not new to criminal activity.
He has several prior cases registered in Maharashtra and Dahod, including online fraud, violations under the Arms Act, gas theft, and even assault on a municipal officer in 2005.
His previous arrest by Maharashtra Police suggests long-standing links to organised financial crime networks.
Political Tremors: Viral Photos with Former Minister Trigger Storm
The case took a political turn when photos surfaced on social media showing Rahul Agrawal alongside former Gujarat minister and Devgadhbaria MLA.
The images went viral, sparking a political row. Opposition parties accused the government of shielding economic offenders, demanding a transparent probe into potential links between politicians and cyber syndicates. The ruling party, however, dismissed the allegations, stating that “the law will take its own course” and no political interference would be tolerated.
Experts Warn: ‘Fintech Systems Becoming Criminal Tools’
Cybersecurity experts say the case is a wake-up call for India’s financial technology ecosystem.
They warn that digital payment platforms, UPI, and banking APIs are increasingly being exploited by sophisticated criminal syndicates.
The Gujarat government has announced plans to collaborate with international enforcement agencies to trace cross-border money trails. It has also proposed the creation of a Financial Tracking Unit (FTU) to strengthen early detection and prevention of large-scale digital financial crimes.
