The gang allegedly contacted victims through matrimonial portals and social networking sites, gradually gaining their trust before luring them into bogus online forex and gold-trading schemes, promising unusually high returns
The accused have been sent to judicial custody.
The Crime Detection Branch (CDB), Cell-4, has exposed an international cyber fraud racket that duped citizens across India of over Rs 200 crore, using matrimonial websites and social media platforms as bait. Seven people have been arrested in connection with the case.
The gang allegedly contacted victims through matrimonial portals and social networking sites, gradually gaining their trust before luring them into bogus online forex and gold-trading schemes, promising unusually high returns.
According to police, the case came to light after confidential inputs were received. Acting swiftly, officers raided Shivsai Residency Lodging and Boarding on Ahmedabad Highway in Vasai near Mumbai. The case was initially registered at Naigaon Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
Given the magnitude and interstate links of the scam, Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar Police Commissioner Nikat Kaushik transferred the investigation to CDB (Cell-4).
How the scam operated
Investigations revealed that the accused gained victims’ trust through matrimonial and social media sites, then enticed them with promises of massive profits from forex and gold trading. Victims were redirected to fake trading websites and asked to deposit money into multiple bank accounts controlled by the gang.
Early “profits” were shown to build confidence, after which victims were persuaded to invest larger sums, often losing their life savings.
Seven arrested linked to 51 cybercrime cases across India
The arrested have been identified as Roshan Kumar Sitharama Shetty, Sabir Mohammad Khan, Sanad Sanjeev Das, Rahul Kumar alias Kailash Rakesh Kumar, Aamir Karam Sherkhan, Abhishek Anil Narkar alias Gopal, and Mohammad Rashid Fakir Mohammad Baloch alias Lucky.
Police investigations have linked the gang to 51 cyber fraud cases registered across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Telangana, Karnataka, West Bengal, Goa, and Chandigarh. The offences invoke serious charges under the BNS and Sections 66(c) and 66(d) of the Information Technology Act.
Investigators confirmed that the racket was being operated from outside India, using mule bank accounts, encrypted communication platforms, and fake digital identities to evade detection.
“All the arrested accused are currently in judicial custody. Further investigation is underway to identify additional suspects, trace money trails, and coordinate with international agencies,” a senior crime branch officer said.
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