Nagpur Police Bust ₹21-Crore Cyber Fraud Network Targeting Job Seekers

 

Nagpur Police have uncovered a nationwide cyber fraud syndicate that cheated job seekers across 21 states through fake business and investment offers. So far, 23 people have been arrested, while five others are still on the run. Investigators have traced money transactions worth over ₹21 crore, allegedly routed through online betting, hawala, and digital mule accounts.

The probe began after a complaint by Deepak Gaidhane (28) from Gondia, who was tricked by a man named Sumit Patle into joining a fake “machinery tools business.” Gaidhane shared his Aadhaar and PAN cards for business registration, but the gang used his documents to create a bogus firm, Deepak Enterprises, and opened a current account in his name. Within just two weeks, transactions worth ₹1.73 crore were routed through that account without his knowledge.

Further investigation revealed the gang had created over 80 mule bank accounts across India. The money was moved through multiple layers, converted into dollars, and sent abroad using hawala channels.

Police Commissioner Ravinder Singhal said the syndicate used digital tools and cross-border coordination to run the scam. Fraudsters lured victims with job and investment ads and then sent malicious APK files containing Chinese code to steal bank details and OTPs from victims’ phones.

“The masterminds are believed to be operating from China and Cambodia. We are tracing the international money trail with the help of central agencies,” said Singhal.

The gang reportedly used illegal trading and betting apps, such as RPMTA and AFMHNW, to launder money. Communication between members took place on Telegram and WhatsApp using coded language.

Data from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) linked 174 complaints nationwide to the gang, including 25 cases from Maharashtra—mainly from Mumbai, Thane, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur.

Police have registered seven FIRs, including two each in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Nagpur, and one in Thane. During coordinated raids, they seized:

• 8 fake business registration certificates

• 9 forged rental agreements

• 61 cheque books

• 50 SIM cards

• 38 mobile phones

• 14 rubber stamps and forged seals

They also froze ₹53 lakh in bank accounts, seized a BMW car, and confiscated assets worth ₹17.47 lakh.

Commissioner Singhal described the operation as “a sophisticated mix of trust manipulation and technology misuse.”

“The accused exploited unemployed youth by promising them business opportunities. Using their documents, they created fake firms and funneled crores through mule accounts,” he said.

Authorities have urged people not to share personal documents or banking details with unknown persons and to verify the authenticity of any online job or business offer.

Police believe this racket may be connected to larger transnational cybercrime networks operating from Southeast Asia. Investigations are ongoing to track the five absconding members suspected of direct links with foreign handlers.

This case highlights the growing threat of cyber-laundering in India and the urgent need for greater digital awareness and vigilance among citizens.