The Gwalior Police have achieved a significant breakthrough in what is now being called the biggest digital fraud case in Madhya Pradesh. The fraud involved the secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission in Gwalior, and just one week after the incident was reported, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested six individuals connected to the crime.
These individuals include employees and officials from private banks, who are alleged to have played a key role in the fraud. Over ₹2.5 crore was duped from the secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Ashram.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The fraud scheme involved bank officials working in collusion with fraudsters to withdraw large sums of money from victims’ accounts and transfer the money to other accounts. This revelation has shocked many, as such large-scale digital frauds are becoming more common across India, but the involvement of private bank employees in the racket has come as a surprise.
In this case, the fraudsters impersonated Supriyadiptananda, the secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram in Gwalior, and digitally arrested him for 26 days, swindling a massive sum of ₹2.52 crore. Following the complaint, the Gwalior Police formed an SIT to investigate the matter.
SIT’s Investigation and Key Arrests
The SIT immediately started their investigation by tracking the money transfers. They discovered that ₹10 lakh had been transferred to Bandhan Bank in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. This led them to take action in Ujjain, where they arrested six individuals connected to the bank. The mastermind behind this entire fraud operation is Udayraj, who is believed to have planned and executed the scam.
The Arrested Individuals
Here’s a breakdown of the key individuals arrested in connection with the fraud:
- Vishwajit Burman – Branch manager at Bandhan Bank, who allegedly opened accounts at the instruction of the fraudsters.
- Shubham Rathore – Bank employee who, in collaboration with the office boy, opened fake accounts for the fraudsters.
- Kajal Jaiswal – Cashier at the bank, accused of withdrawing and transferring money from the fraudulent accounts.
- Tushar Gome – Partner of Udayraj and one of the masterminds of the fraud, who is said to have withdrawn ₹3 crore over three months.
- Rahul Kahar – A vegetable seller, whose account was used to transfer ₹10 lakh stolen from the victim.
- Kishore Vinay – Another individual involved in withdrawing and transferring the money from the fraudsters’ accounts.
How the Fraudsters Operated
The fraudsters used a clever tactic to carry out their digital crimes. They would approach bank employees, offering ₹5,000 for opening accounts in the name of the fraudsters. In return, they would receive a cut of the money transferred through these accounts. The fraudsters would keep control of important banking documents, including the passbook, chequebook, ATM cards, and internet banking credentials. These fraudulent accounts were essentially “rented” out for the scam.
Furthermore, the bank employees allegedly provided the fraudsters with inside information about police investigations, allowing them to continue their operation undetected for longer.
Broader Implications of the Fraud
In addition to the money transferred to Ujjain, the SIT discovered that approximately ₹1.3 crore had been transferred to an account in Indusind Bank, Allahabad. This account was registered in the name of a private company, and the SIT is now investigating the company’s involvement in the fraud.
Ongoing Investigation
All of the arrested bank employees are currently in police custody and are being interrogated to uncover the full extent of the fraud and identify any other individuals or organizations involved. The police are also examining connections to other regions and accounts where fraudulent activities may have taken place.
This case highlights the growing threat of digital fraud in India, especially involving insider collusion with banking employees. The authorities are urging the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to digital banking transactions.
