The investigation into the Bhavnagar Cyber Fraud Gang has intensified after a special court granted police additional time to question nine accused individuals involved in a massive cyber fraud case worth over ₹21.37 crore. Authorities allege that the group operated an organized network that used rented bank accounts to conduct large-scale financial fraud through online transactions.
The accused were produced before a special GCTOC court in Rajkot after their earlier two-day police remand ended. Investigating officers requested an 18-day extension for further interrogation, but the court approved a 12-day additional police remand to help authorities dig deeper into the financial crime.
Details of the Cyber Fraud Operation
According to police officials, the Bhavnagar Cyber Fraud Gang was allegedly led by Dashrath Ramjibhai Dhandhalya. Investigators revealed that the gang had created an organized network involving multiple individuals who helped facilitate fraudulent financial transactions.
The group reportedly obtained bank accounts from 134 individuals across the city. These accounts were either rented out or provided to the gang in exchange for commission. Once access to these accounts was secured, the accused allegedly used them to transfer large sums of money obtained through cyber fraud schemes.
Police investigations have uncovered that approximately ₹21,37,22,197 (₹21.37 crore) was routed through these bank accounts. After the funds were deposited, the gang allegedly withdrew the money using cheques and ATM transactions before distributing or diverting it through various channels.
The case was initially registered at the Bortalav Police Station in Bhavnagar, where authorities began tracking suspicious banking activities linked to multiple accounts.
Organized Crime Charges Added
During the course of the investigation, officials determined that the crime was not an isolated incident but part of a structured and organized financial fraud operation. Based on these findings, police added sections of the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organized Crime Act (GCTOC) to the case.
The FIR was filed based on a complaint lodged by Bortalav Police Inspector Chauhan. Authorities registered the case under sections 317(2), 317(4), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, along with sections 3(1), 3(2), 3(4), and 3(5) of the GCTOC Act, 2015.
Accused Arrested in the Case
Police have arrested nine individuals believed to be associated with the Bhavnagar Cyber Fraud Gang. The accused include:
- Aryan alias Lakhan Shobharajbhai Joseta
- Shailesh alias Bhuro Hirabhai Chaudhary
- Rahul Govindbhai Gohel
- Shafin Yunusbhai Qureshi
- Mahin Yunusbhai Qureshi
- Mihir Bhagwanbhai Sarvaiya
- Aman Isukbhai Ofthani
- Harshadsinh Ankubha Sarvaiya
- Deepak Vitthalbhai Gohil
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Ongoing Investigation
After completing the initial remand period, police presented all nine accused before the special court in Rajkot. Investigators argued that further custodial interrogation was necessary to trace the complete financial trail, identify additional accomplices, and uncover the mastermind behind the operation.
The court subsequently granted 12 more days of police remand, allowing investigators additional time to question the suspects and gather crucial evidence.
Officials say the probe into the Bhavnagar Cyber Fraud Gang is ongoing, and authorities are working to uncover the entire network behind the cybercrime. Police are also examining bank records, transaction histories, and digital evidence to determine how the fraud was executed and whether more individuals were involved.
With cyber fraud cases rising across India, law enforcement agencies are increasingly cracking down on organized financial crime networks to prevent further losses and bring those responsible to justice.