Pune cyber fraud investigators have arrested three men in an alleged international racket that used more than 150 bank accounts to route and withdraw over ₹1 crore generated through cyber fraud, with the suspected Dubai-based coordinator brought back to India after an Interpol-assisted operation.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Cyber Police arrested Sumant alias Nanu Ravindra Dasare, 26, a resident of Nigdi Pradhikaran, after he was detained in Dubai following the issuance of a Look Out Circular (LOC). A police team led by Sub-Inspector Pravin Swami took him into custody at Mumbai airport after his deportation to India.
Two Pune-based alleged associates, Tushar Amararam Chaudhary, 29, from Chikhali, and Adarsh Santosh Waghmare, 27, from Akurdi, have also been arrested. Police said the three men were allegedly involved in procuring bank accounts, routing money received from victims and withdrawing the proceeds in cash.
Senior Police Inspector Ravikiran Nale, in-charge of the Cyber Cell, said the case was registered at the Pimpri-Chinchwad Cyber Police Station under Sections 318(4), 317(2), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. According to the police, the accused were operating through multiple bank accounts to facilitate transactions linked to cyber fraud schemes.
Investigators said Dasare allegedly began working for the racket on a monthly salary of 6,000 dirhams, making calls and sending messages connected with share-trading and task-based fraud schemes. Police said he initially received a four per cent commission from money collected from victims. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rohidas Pawar said Dasare later allegedly joined the main fraudsters and may have received a 20 per cent share of the total proceeds.
Police allege that Chaudhary and Waghmare procured more than 150 bank accounts and supplied them to Dasare. These accounts were allegedly used to receive money transferred by victims. The two associates are also accused of helping withdraw the funds in cash, retaining their commissions and transferring the remaining money through accounts provided by Dasare.
Sub-Inspector Pravin Swami said the preliminary investigation indicated that the network had generated more than ₹1 crore. The police action followed information gathered through confidential sources about Dasare’s location in Dubai. After senior officers approved the move, an LOC was issued and coordination through Interpol led to his detention and subsequent deportation.
The police are examining whether Dasare is connected to other cybercrime cases registered in Hyderabad, Telangana, and Kalewadi. Investigators are also tracing the origin of the bank accounts, examining the financial transactions and probing the alleged call centres operating from Dubai. Police said the investigation would determine whether additional suspects were involved.
Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey directed officers to intensify action against people who provide bank accounts or assist in moving money obtained through cyber fraud. Dasare has been remanded to police custody until November 4, while investigators continue to examine the wider financial trail and the alleged network of accounts.
