The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has dismantled a network of bank accounts associated with 41 cyber fraud cases nationwide. Six individuals have been apprehended for aiding financial transactions in a larger cryptocurrency scam. The arrests were made following a complaint from a local resident who fell victim to a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme, losing Rs 57.9 lakh.
One of the main accused, Mayur Savaliya, believed to be in Dubai, is currently evading authorities. The victim was initially contacted through Facebook and gradually convinced to invest in cryptocurrency. He was directed to download a mobile app called “CBOE US” and invest in USDT (Tether). Subsequently, he transferred Rs 57.9 lakh across 24 transactions to multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
Upon attempting to withdraw his funds, the victim was asked for additional payments under various pretexts, leading to suspicion and the filing of a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police Station. A thorough investigation utilizing technical surveillance and human intelligence traced the flow of funds to a cluster of bank accounts allegedly set up by the perpetrators. These accounts, registered under the name “Crystal Interior Designers Private Limited,” were spread across various banks like Bandhan Bank, ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, and Yes Bank.
The accused individuals functioned as account holders and facilitators, enabling the transfer and withdrawal of fraudulently obtained funds. The investigation also uncovered a wider network involving intermediaries and handlers operating in multiple states. The six arrested individuals, including Tahir Belim, Adnan Sheikh, Ajaz Sheikh, Omkar Goswami, Maqsud Mirza, and Sunny Ashok Kumar Maggo, were identified as part of this network.
