Pune. The line between traditional crime and cyber fraud is increasingly becoming blurred. An investigation into a ₹86 lakh cyber fraud case in Pimpri-Chinchwad has uncovered links suggesting that some people involved in traditional crimes such as kidnapping, extortion and robbery are becoming part of cybercrime networks through contacts formed during incarceration. According to police, after their release, such offenders may take up supporting roles for cyber gangs, including arranging bank accounts and other resources, rather than directly targeting victims.
Police have arrested Tejas Lokhande, 24, and Avinash Baklikar, 28, in the case. According to police, Lokhande has a criminal background involving traditional offences, including kidnapping, while Baklikar has been linked to a cybercrime network. The two reportedly met about a year ago while lodged in Yerwada jail in connection with separate cases. They were released on bail around six months ago and remained in contact. Police allege that Lokhande subsequently became involved in cyber fraud activities with Baklikar.
Proposal for Conducting Cyber Crisis Drill, Tabletop Exercise (TTEx) & CCMP Readiness Exercise
The investigation found that bank accounts were allegedly being used to move money linked to cybercrime through different layers. As police examined the transactions, they also began looking into the backgrounds of the accused and their connections. This led investigators to examine the relationships formed during their time in jail.
According to police, some offenders involved in traditional crimes are coming into contact with cybercriminals after being released on bail. One reason cited for the shift is the perception that cybercrime can generate large amounts of money with comparatively less effort. Traditional crimes often involve physical confrontation, weapons, arrest and direct police action, whereas cybercrime can be divided among several people performing different functions.
Growing Layers of Roles in Cybercrime
Cyber fraud networks are no longer limited to the person who calls a victim or lures them into an investment scheme. Behind the fraud may be separate individuals who arrange bank accounts, provide SIM cards, withdraw money and transfer funds to other accounts. This layered structure can allow participants to perform limited roles, making it more difficult for investigators to identify and dismantle the entire network.
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said organised cybercrime networks are becoming increasingly decentralised. According to him, the existing criminal contacts and local resource networks of traditional offenders can become valuable to cyber gangs. Investigating only an accused person’s online activities may therefore not be sufficient; their previous criminal associations and contacts formed during incarceration can also be important lines of inquiry.
Old Criminal Records Also Surface in ₹11 Crore Fraud
Pimpri-Chinchwad police said the involvement of traditional offenders in cybercrime networks is not an isolated development. In April this year, police invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against a nine-member cybercrime gang. The gang was accused of defrauding a senior citizen of more than ₹11 crore through a fake online stock trading application.
The investigation found that the defrauded money was routed through multiple bank accounts. Police have so far frozen around ₹2.65 crore, while efforts are continuing to recover the remaining amount.
In that case, police arrested Abhay Patil, 34, Shivtej Pote, 30, Yuvraj Mudliyar, 35, Ronny Girigoswami, 24, Prahlad Gadari, 23, Umesh Bhatt, 21, Mahesh Udchane, 28, Rahul Maurya, 24, and Sheikh Abdul Rashid, 26. According to police, some of them already had criminal records and later came into contact with cybercriminals.
Investigators found that some accused allegedly supplied mule bank accounts to cybercriminals in return for a share of the transaction amount. This allowed them to benefit from cybercrime proceeds without directly contacting victims.
Similar Link Found in Lonavala Case
In March, police also uncovered an organised cyber fraud racket allegedly operating from a villa in Lonavala and arrested four accused. During that investigation too, some of the accused were found to have backgrounds in traditional crime. The case prompted investigators to examine how established criminal networks were connecting with emerging cybercrime groups.
Investigators said the structure of cybercrime has changed significantly. One person may contact the victim, another may arrange a bank account, a third may withdraw the money and another may transfer it onward. Such a structure can create different entry points for traditional offenders, who can use their existing contacts and ability to arrange local resources.
Pimpri-Chinchwad police are now examining how extensively contacts formed in jail are helping connect traditional offenders with organised cybercrime networks. The ₹86 lakh fraud case has emerged as an important example of this changing criminal landscape. The investigation is no longer focused only on the defrauded money and bank accounts but also on the accused persons’ previous criminal records, relationships formed during incarceration and contacts developed after their release.
The findings could help investigators understand how traditional criminal networks are gradually converging with organised cybercrime and creating a new ecosystem in which physical-world criminals and digital fraud networks operate together.
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About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
