Ahmedabad jeweller loses ₹83.37 lakh in sophisticated SIM-Swap cyber fraud, FIR registered

A city-based jewellery businessman has allegedly been cheated of ₹83.37 lakh in a sophisticated cyber fraud involving the unauthorised deactivation of his mobile SIM card and illegal access to his net banking account, according to a complaint registered with the Cyber Crime Police Station, Ahmedabad.

The complainant, Bhayesh Anilkumar Soni, 35, a resident of Usmanpura and proprietor of Johnson Jewellers, has alleged that unknown cyber criminals orchestrated a SIM-swap fraud before siphoning off funds from his company's cash credit account maintained with Yes Bank.

Soni operates a jewellery showroom on C.G. Road and has been using a Vodafone mobile number linked to the company's banking operations. The account reportedly carries a cash credit facility of ₹14 crore for business purposes.

The incident came to light after Soni noticed that his Vodafone SIM card had stopped functioning while he was travelling to Ayodhya around May 30. Assuming it was a network issue, he initially paid little attention to the disruption and continued using WhatsApp through Wi-Fi connectivity.

However, when attempts were made to obtain banking OTPs for account-related work, no messages were received on the registered number. On June 2, Soni visited a Vodafone store in Ahmedabad, where he was informed that a request had been received to block the SIM card linked to his mobile number. He claims he had never made such a request.

After obtaining a replacement SIM card and restoring connectivity, Soni and his accountant reviewed the company's bank statements and allegedly discovered a series of unauthorised transactions carried out between June 1 and June 2.

Police said cyber fraudsters allegedly gained access to the firm's net banking facilities after the SIM card was deactivated and OTP controls were compromised. Investigators suspect the accused may have illegally accessed a device used for internet banking and altered account-linked credentials, including the registered email address.

A Gmail account allegedly registered in the name of “rakesh691217” had been linked to the bank account without the complainant's knowledge, enabling the accused to intercept authentication communications.

The fraudsters executed 16 transactions through IMPS and RTGS channels, transferring funds to multiple bank accounts across different financial institutions. The beneficiaries named in the transaction records include individuals identified as Litan Shil, Krishnenu Mondal, Amit Sarkar, Atal Sarkar and an entity named Sadhukhan Enterprises.

The total amount fraudulently transferred is alleged to be ₹83.37 lakh, comprising both IMPS and RTGS transactions conducted over a span of approximately 48 hours.

Following the discovery of the fraud, the complainant contacted the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) and received an acknowledgement number. A separate complaint was also filed through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal before a formal FIR was lodged with Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police Station.

Police have registered a case against unidentified persons under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and cybercrime laws. Investigators are examining the SIM deactivation process, banking records, beneficiary accounts, and digital trails to identify those involved in the alleged fraud.

The complainant's accountant, Nilamben Patel, has been cited as a witness in the case. Further investigation is underway under the supervision of officials of the Cyber Crime Police Station.