Ahmedabad: Cyberfraud ring busted in Naranpura, six held

Ahmedabad: Six people were arrested in connection with a cyberfraud network in Naranpura, police said, after an investigation revealed that bank accounts were allegedly being opened and rented out for use in online financial crimes.

A complaint was registered by head constable Kamlesh Amarsinh with Naranpura police on Monday. The complaint states that the local crime branch of Zone 1 received a tip-off that a man identified as Nirav Shah was seen moving around on a purple scooter in the Naranpura, Vadaj and Navrangpura areas, allegedly targeting those in financial need.

The complainant stated that he allegedly lured such individuals by promising them money and persuaded them to open savings and current accounts in different banks, after which he collected the account kits for use. Police intercepted Shah near a garden in Naranpura and brought him to the LCB office for questioning. Officers found debit cards of nationalized banks, a bank passbook and two mobile phones in his possession.

During interrogation, Shah allegedly disclosed the names of other individuals linked to the racket. The complainant stated that the wider network included Vishal Kotak from Gota, Dev Modhera of Sabarmati, a man identified as Patel from Nikol, Gopal Panchal originally from Radhanpur and currently staying in Udaipur, and another associate identified as Vicky. Based on Shah’s statement and subsequent inquiry, all six were arrested for their suspected roles in the fraud scheme.

For around 14 months, Shah and others arranged the opening of numerous bank accounts across Ahmedabad by exploiting vulnerable people, the complaint states. More than 100 such accounts have allegedly been procured and passed on through the network in exchange for commissions.

Police reviewed the account details found on Shah’s mobile phone and verified them through the Samanvaya portal. The verification showed that several accounts were connected to multiple cybercrime complaints from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and West Bengal, the complainant said.

The accounts were used to route money obtained through online cyberfraud. A case was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal conspiracy, cheating and stolen property.