EOW cracks ₹2.27 crore ‘Recovery Scam’; Couple held for promising to retrieve Canada fraud proceeds
Accused allegedly posed as well-connected facilitators, extracted huge “advance commissions” from victim over months by claiming they could recover money lost in an overseas fraud case
Updated: Jun 5th, 2026
In a significant breakthrough, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested a husband-wife duo accused of allegedly cheating a Mehsana resident of more than ₹2.27 crore by promising to recover funds he had reportedly lost in a fraud case in Canada.
Investigators said the accused allegedly exploited the complainant’s desperation to recover money lost in a 2014 fraud incident abroad, presenting themselves as influential intermediaries with extensive contacts across government departments and agencies.
According to the Crime Branch officials, the complainant, Hirenkumar Ashokbhai Chaudhary, a resident of Pamol village in Mehsana district, came into contact with the accused after discussing the overseas fraud with acquaintances. The accused allegedly convinced him that they possessed the expertise and connections necessary to recover the lost funds and secure legal remedies.
The Modus Operandi
Police said the alleged fraud was executed through a carefully crafted narrative of influence, access and assurance.
The prime accused, Anil Bhikhabhai Vibhani, allegedly portrayed himself as a liaison agent with strong contacts in various government departments. Along with his wife, Vimmi alias Vimmi Vibhani, he is accused of repeatedly assuring the complainant that the money lost in Canada could be recovered through official channels.
Investigators said the accused gradually built trust and confidence, persuading the complainant that substantial upfront payments were necessary to initiate legal and administrative processes abroad and in India. Over several months, the complainant allegedly paid large sums as “advance commission”, believing the recovery process was progressing.
Between August 2025 and June 2026, the accused allegedly collected approximately ₹1.62 crore in cash, ₹63.58 lakh through banking channels and ₹1.65 lakh through credit card transactions. The total amount allegedly obtained from the complainant stands at ₹2.27 crore.
However, investigators said no recovery of the purported overseas fraud amount ever materialised. The accused are also alleged to have dishonestly retained seven signed cheques belonging to the complainant and committed criminal breach of trust.
Arrests and Seizures
Based on the complaint, the EOW registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The accused couple, residents of a residential complex near Zydus Hospital in Thaltej, Ahmedabad, were arrested on June 4.
During the investigation, police seized three mobile phones and took possession of several vehicles allegedly linked to the accused, including a Mercedes-Benz, two Hyundai i20 cars, a Hyundai Verna and an Innova. Investigators said the ownership and financial trail connected to these assets are being examined.
The accused have been remanded to police custody for five days, during which officials are expected to scrutinise financial transactions, bank records and possible links to other victims.
Extensive Criminal Background
Crime Branch officials said preliminary inquiries revealed that Anil Vibhani has an extensive criminal history spanning Ahmedabad and Surat.
Police records show that at least eight cases have previously been registered against him, including offences related to cheating, forgery, criminal intimidation, domestic violence, prohibition violations and even a murder case registered in Surat. One of the earlier cheating cases reportedly involved allegations of fraud amounting to nearly ₹41 crore.
Officials are now investigating whether the latest case forms part of a broader pattern of financial deception and whether additional complainants may have been similarly targeted.
Probe Expanding
Senior Crime Branch officers said the investigation is focused on tracing the flow of funds, identifying beneficiaries and determining whether a wider network was involved in the alleged fraud.
The EOW is also examining documentary evidence, electronic devices and banking transactions recovered during the operation to establish the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.
