Gujarat Cyber Cell busts ₹26 cr cyber fraud racket, seven held in Rajkot

The Gujarat State Cyber Cell has unearthed a major cyber cheating network in Rajkot, similar to the recently exposed Bhavnagar scam. The racket came to light during the probe of a ₹26.66 crore cyber fraud case in which money siphoned from a Gujarat resident was traced to three IndusInd Bank accounts in Rajkot.

Cyber cell officials arrested seven people, including three account holders, an IndusInd Bank employee, a person who facilitated the opening of fake accounts, and hawala operators who withdrew the cash and routed it abroad. A detailed investigation is under way.

According to investigators, the victim was contacted on WhatsApp and lured into investing through a fake trading platform named ‘Finalto’. After an initial profit display, the fraudsters convinced him to pay various charges, collecting ₹26.66 crore between August and October. The accused then withdrew the funds, converted them into cryptocurrency and transferred them overseas for commission.

The Cyber cell seized eight mobile phones, six debit cards, cheque books, passbooks and a SIM card from the accused.

The key suspect who collected and routed the cheated money through hawala networks has been identified as Aman alias Sakil Chotaliya (25), a resident of Rajkot

Others arrested include:

Asif Thayam – IndusInd Bank employee 

Amin Shahmdar – bank account holder 

Anis Narsidani

Hiren Pitroda

Abdul Dangsiya 

Bhavin Markhibhai Karangiya – helped open accounts and transfer money