OTP-free theft Busted: Ahmedabad Cops Caught a cyberfraudster’s Network with ₹23 Crore
OTP-free theft busted: Ahmedabad Cops Caught a cyberfraudster’s Network with ₹23 Crore
“Let’s take a look at how Ahmedabad cops follow Rs 25,000 complaint to bust Rs 23 crore cyberfraud!”
One of the largest money laundering networks in the nation was made public by a Paldi resident who claimed to have lost Rs 24,988 to cybercriminals. Police discovered that the accused were connected to 518 cybercrime complaints in 25 states and union territories, totaling Rs 23.23 crore.
Instead of concealing the money abroad, the gang used a technique known as “layering” to keep it flowing through Indian banks. So far, the investigation has resulted in the arrest of six suspects and the seizure of Rs 3.16 crore in cash.
The “layering” strategy, which involves moving stolen funds through multiple accounts, was at the core of the “OTP-free theft” operation.
Manju Pardava, Inspector, Paldi
| “These fraudsters did not shift funds into crypto or foreign wallets, but kept the money in the banking system and pulled it out as ‘white cash’ using self-cheques.”
Two sets of accounts were implicated in the last and most important stage: Union Bank accounts, from which substantial amounts of cash were taken out, and Jubilee Hills Merchant accounts, which were connected to 518 complaints and the entire Rs 23.23 crore amount. During the investigation, Rs 9.68 crore of this was marked as contested and frozen. |
With the help of CCTV footage, the police arrested the following individuals under BNS Section 35(1)(e):
- Arifkhan Akbarkhan (32),
- Ashwinkumar Natwarlal (41),
- Smit Satishchandra (20),
- Rakesh Savaram (24),
- Jagdishkumar Mahendrabhai (33), and
- Jasmine Rajubhai (38).
Shivam Varma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 7)
| “The case broke open when a Paldi resident complained to the police after being cheated out of Rs 24,988.
The money was moved from the first layer to intermediate accounts that served as holding bays, the police discovered when they used digital tools on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP). “We zoomed in on a Yes Bank account, which was linked to 136 separate complaints registered on the coordination portal. This meant it was repeatedly used to shuffle money before pushing it further.” |
Senior Police Official
| “Both Union Bank and Jubilee Hills Merchant accounts functioned as crucial endpoints in this elaborate scheme to process and obscure the stolen money.” |
Police also found 15 cell phones, three checks, nine checkbooks, and four bags in addition to the cash, demonstrating how a single complaint turned into a significant nationwide cybercrime discovery.
About The Author
Suraj Koli is a content specialist in technical writing about cybersecurity & information security. He has written many amazing articles related to cybersecurity concepts, with the latest trends in cyber awareness and ethical hacking. Find out more about “Him.”
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