Police arrest CA, ex-banker for helping cybercriminals

Ahmedabad: City crime branch arrested Akash Soni (31), a chartered accountant, and Manoj Ramawat (44), a former bank executive, allegedly for facilitating the opening of fake companies and bank accounts for clients. The arrests were made following a raid at the office of Akash Soni & Company located on CG Road.According to police, the fraudulent accounts were used for cyberfraud transactions, with complaints already filed in cities such as Delhi, Ghaziabad, Bangalore, and Mumbai.
Crime branch officials said that during the raid, authorities seized a substantial amount of evidence, including 12 mobile phones, a hard disk, three laptops, two pen drives, 26 sim cards, 27 debit cards, and various company seals and stamps. Micro-ATMs, fingerprint scanners, nameplates, and bank checkbooks were also confiscated.Soni and Ramawat allegedly orchestrated a complex scheme involving the creation of over 54 bogus companies and bank accounts. Of these, 15 accounts are currently active. "The duo facilitated the opening of fake companies and bank accounts for clients, enabling them to withdraw large sums of money while earning a commission from them," said a police officer."The duo made fake sales and purchase entries to show necessary turnover for term loans, selling bogus companies and accounts to clients, and facilitating large cash withdrawals through fake APMC accounts," the officer added.Police said the accused retained control over the sim cards, passbooks, and checkbooks, ensuring that the individuals were unaware of the financial transactions occurring in their names.Crime branch is investigating the bogus accounts, companies, and the licence of the APMC. The cops are also investigating the involvement of the two in cybercrime and their association with other cybercrime gangs. The cops said that four accounts recovered were used for cybercrimes.

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