The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has successfully uncovered a fraud operation targeting shopkeepers using Paytm sound boxes across Gujarat. Six members of the cyber fraud gang have been arrested for duping unsuspecting merchants by manipulating their banking details under the pretext of Paytm service fee waivers.

Modus operandi

As per officials, fraudsters posed as Paytm representatives and approached shopkeepers with Paytm sound boxes, falsely claiming that monthly service charges of ₹89 had now been waived. By gaining the shopkeeper’s trust, they convinced them to initiate a ₹1 transaction from their banking app to verify the waiver. During this process, the fraudsters accessed the victims’ PIN and proceeded to siphon large sums of money from their accounts.

In one such case, a complaint was lodged by Javerabhai Himmatlal Desai at the Cyber Crime police station, detailing how two unidentified persons fraudulently withdrew ₹5.99 lakh from his Bank of Baroda account by gaining access to his banking credentials.

Investigation and arrests

Acting under the directives, a special investigative team utilised advanced technical analysis and human intelligence to track down and apprehend the suspects on March 29 .

The following individuals were arrested—

1. Govind Lalchand Chogaji Patik (23) – resident of Shahpur, originally from Jaipur, Rajasthan.
2. Brijesh Girishbhai Dabhai Patel (30) – resident of Ranip, originally from Mehsana district.
3. Parag alias Ravi Laxmanbhai Ganesharamji Mistry (24) – resident of Juna Vadaj, originally from Sirohi, Rajasthan.
4. Raj Rakeshbhai Bakabhai Patel (28) – Resident of Visnagar, Mehsana, originally from Patan district.
5. Tikampand Machayam Carpenter (27) – Resident of Sardar Colony, Ahmedabad.
6. Pitam Sao Mikalal Kanji Suthar (26) – Resident of Pali, Rajasthan.

Police recovered multiple mobile phones, SIM cards, and ₹25,500 in cash during the operation.

Mastermind and operations

Investigations revealed that Brijesh Patel, a former Paytm employee, was the mastermind behind the scam. After being dismissed from Paytm in 2022 due to fraudulent activities, he formed a gang with other former employees and began targeting shopkeepers in Ahmedabad and other districts in Gujarat.

Initially, the gang used their knowledge of Paytm’s internal processes to deceive shopkeepers and extract their banking credentials. They later expanded their operations by recruiting additional members to help collect and launder money, using illegal online gaming accounts to funnel stolen funds and obtaining fraudulent SIM cards and bank accounts to cover their tracks.

Cyber Crime police's advice to the public

The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has issued a public advisory urging individuals to take the following precautions:

- Do not trust unknown individuals claiming to represent Paytm or any banking service.

- Never share banking credentials, PINs, or OTPs with strangers.

- Verify the identities of service representatives before providing any details.

- Monitor bank statements and SMS alerts regularly for suspicious transactions.

- Report fraud immediately to the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or visit the nearest police station.

Investigation underway

Authorities believe this gang has committed similar frauds across Surendranagar, Limdi, Bagodara, Palanpur, Adalaj, and other regions of Gujarat, involving sums ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹6,00,000. The Cyber Crime Branch is continuing its investigation to track other accomplices and recover the defrauded amounts.