Surat Cyber Crime Unit Busts Two Gangs Behind ₹19.70 Crore Online Fraud; Eight Arrested

Surat: In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Surat Cyber Crime Unit has arrested eight individuals linked to two separate gangs allegedly involved in large-scale online frauds amounting to ₹19.70 crore.

According to officials, the accused siphoned money from 43 different bank accounts, using a network of fake accounts and digital manipulation techniques. Shockingly, one of the arrested suspects is already named in 67 cybercrime cases nationwide, with victims spread across 13 states, including Gujarat.

The Operation: Raids Across the City

The arrests followed a series of coordinated raids conducted by 10 dedicated police teams across various locations in Surat.

One of the key breakthroughs came when officials raided Matador Trading Academy, owned by Sahil Gajera. During the raid, officers detained Meet Shah (21) from Amroli and discovered multiple bank account details stored on his mobile phone.

Further investigation revealed a recruitment-style operation:
Shah allegedly hired two youths — Rushi Sapkal (21) and Yash Shinde (19) from Maharashtra, offering them ₹25,000 per month to convince people to open new bank accounts, which were later used for fraudulent transactions.

Police also traced the involvement of Nilesh Solanki (34) from Katargam, a friend of Shah who was actively participating in the cyber fraud schemes.

Growing Trend of “Account Renting”

Police sources revealed that cybercriminals are increasingly paying or luring individuals to open bank accounts, which are then misused to transfer illegally obtained funds — a trend now commonly referred to as “account renting.”

Such tactics make it difficult for investigators to track the real masterminds, as the fraud trail often leads to innocent or unaware account holders.

Police Appeal to the Public

Authorities have urged citizens—especially young job-seekers—not to rent or sell bank accounts in exchange for monthly payments, as it directly contributes to criminal activities and could lead to serious legal consequences.

A Strong Message from Law Enforcement

The Surat Cyber Crime Unit’s swift action highlights the growing menace of online fraud and the importance of vigilant policing in the digital age. While all eight suspects are now in custody, officials believe more links in the chain are yet to be uncovered.