Friday, 28 Nov, 2025
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Crime in India Report 2023, the total number of cases reported during the year was 86,128, showing an increase of 31.2 percent in registration over 2021 (65,893 cases). Image Source: Getty
The accused set up a fake trading company in a market yard under the name of a genuine-sounding local company to conceal their illegal activities.
In a significant development, the Gujarat CID (Crime) and the Railways' Cyber Centre of Excellence have uncovered a vast cybercrime syndicate worth ₹200 crore that operated in several Indian states and spread its tentacles as far as Dubai. It is considered by authorities as one of the most advanced and well-structured cyber fraud networks ever discovered in the whole country.
Six major suspects have been taken into custody thus far: Naviya Khambhaliya and Pankit Kanthariya from Surat; Rakesh Lania and Rakeshkumar Dekawadiya from Lakhatar in Surendranagar; and Mahesh Solanki and Rupen Bhatiya from Morbi. Investigators believe that these arrests are just the beginning of a much larger operation that might expose an enormous network of online fraud.
A multi-layered financial crime network was promptly uncovered during what at first seemed to be a routine investigation into sporadic cyber fraud complaints. Through a range of online frauds, such as phoney loan offers, phoney part-time job postings, and fraudulent investment schemes that promised astounding returns, the syndicate had been defrauding victims all over India. CID officials uncovered information about more than 100 bank accounts that were used to transfer stolen money after confiscating and examining the accused's cell phones. Later investigations exposed the network's extraordinary scope by connecting it to 386 cybercrime cases in India, including 29 in Gujarat alone.
Investigators believe that in order to conceal the source of their illegal profits, the group used a sophisticated digital money laundering scheme. First, the money obtained through fraud was moved to mule bank accounts, which are accounts created using false or manipulated identities. Following their withdrawal in Morbi, these funds were physically delivered to Surat via the conventional angadia (cash courier) network. After arriving in Surat, the funds were exchanged for cryptocurrencies, mostly USDT (Tether), and sent via hawala channels and cryptocurrency wallets to handlers in Dubai. The accused set up a fake trading company in a market yard under the name of a genuine-sounding local company to conceal their illegal activities. By acting as a front, this fraudulent company made it possible to open numerous mule accounts for cryptocurrency transfers, ATM withdrawals, and check deposits.
Investigators found that while middlemen who helped with the laundering process made roughly ₹650 for every ₹1 lakh of illicit funds transferred through the system, some account holders, who were frequently ignorant of the full criminal scope, received monthly commissions of ₹25,000.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Sanjaykumar Keshwala, who is leading the investigation, described the fraudulent trading unit as the central mechanism of the syndicate’s deception. “They created a fake firm purely to gain access to the banking system. Every stolen rupee passed through these mule accounts before being converted into cash or crypto and transferred to Dubai-based handlers,” he told reporters.
Keshwala confirmed that the investigation has now expanded to trace the international financial links of the group. “This case clearly involves cryptocurrency transactions with possible foreign masterminds. We are following the Dubai trail and examining every digital footprint to identify the top-tier handlers behind the racket,” he said.
Authorities are currently looking for leads after seizing 12 cell phones, two SIM cards, and a large amount of financial transaction data. The scope of the operation, which includes international hawala networks, cyber fraud, and crypto laundering, suggests a much deeper connection that has not yet been revealed, according to investigators, who believe that the arrests made thus far only constitute a small portion of a larger criminal enterprise. In order to combat the growing wave of cross-border financial cybercrime, officials say the case emphasises the need for closer coordination between Indian and international law enforcement agencies and the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal networks.
Source: National Crime Records Bureau
The cases of cyber crime in the country are continuously rising as scamsters find new ways to dupe the people. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Crime in India Report 2023, the total number of cases reported during the year was 86,128, showing an increase of 31.2 percent in registration over 2021 (65,893 cases). The crime rate under this category increased from 4.8 in 2022 to 6.2 in 2023. During 2023, 68.9 percent of cyber-crime cases registered were for the motive of fraud (59,526 out of 86,420 cases) followed by Sexual Exploitation with 4.9 percent (4,199 cases) and Extortion with 3.8 percent (3,326 cases).This was the highest number of cases of cyber-crime reported in a year till date. The chargesheeting rate in the cyber-crime cases was just 33.9 percent.
Source: National Cybercrime reporting portal, Ministry of Home Affairs
Cyber fraud, commonly referred to as internet or online fraud, typically involves deceiving individuals to extract money through digital means. Scammers often reach out via phone calls, emails, text messages, or other communication channels to collect sensitive personal data. In many cases, they send malicious links or software to gain unauthorized access to devices or networks, allowing them to steal confidential information like bank account details, credit card numbers, or identity credentials.
According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), cybercrime in India has been rising at a concerning pace. Cases nearly doubled from 27,248 in 2018 to 44,735 in 2019, with 2023 marking the year with the highest number of cybercrime incidents on record.
These statistics highlight a troubling trend, not only is cybercrime increasing, but many cases remain unresolved. Moreover, the actual number of incidents is likely far higher, as many cases go unreported.
In response, the Indian government has implemented various initiatives to bolster cyber defense capabilities. These include creating comprehensive cybersecurity regulations, establishing robust legal frameworks, and enhancing the capacity of the judiciary to tackle digital crimes. Sector-specific Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) have also been formed to provide technical assistance and manage cybersecurity threats within distinct industries.
Despite these efforts, the continuing rise in cybercrime indicates that further action is necessary. Strengthening cyber awareness, increasing law enforcement capacity, and encouraging timely reporting of cyber incidents will be crucial in addressing this growing threat.
