A Pimpri-Chinchwad cyber fraud investigation has uncovered an alleged network that obtained 70 bank accounts from residents, particularly women in Goa, and used them to receive money linked to cyber scams, police said. Two men from Goa and Kolkata have been arrested in connection with the case.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Abhikes Mohan Achrekar, 34, from Goa, and Anmol Sharma, 32, from Kolkata, according to the Pimpri-Chinchwad cyber police. Police said the accounts were allegedly collected by offering ordinary citizens access to loans and were later used to route money received through cyber fraud.
The investigation began after a manager at a private company was allegedly defrauded of Rs 83.80 lakh on the promise of earning returns of up to 500% through investments in foreign stock markets, the stock market and initial public offerings. A case was registered at the Pimpri-Chinchwad Cyber Police Station.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohidas Pawar, investigators found that Rs 30 lakh from the complainant had been transferred to a bank account. The account was held jointly by Achrekar and a woman, police said. Investigators then used technical analysis to trace Achrekar, who was frequently changing his place of residence.
A police team took him into custody at Khed Shivapur after receiving information that he had travelled to Pune. During questioning, police allegedly found that Achrekar, with the help of associates, had approached residents in Goa, especially women, with offers of loans before obtaining access to their bank accounts.
Police said the 70 accounts were subsequently used by Sharma and other associates to receive money connected to cyber fraud cases. Preliminary findings indicate that crores of rupees passed through the accounts, although the financial and technical investigation is still under way.
The case highlights the risks of handing over bank account access or financial details in exchange for promises of loans. Police have warned citizens not to share their account credentials or allow their accounts to be used for transactions on behalf of unknown persons. Further details are expected as investigators examine the money trail, account holders and the other people allegedly involved in the network.
