Cyber Crime Crackdown: ED Raids Gujarat and Maharashtra in ₹100 Crore Case

According to the news reports, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched search operations in multiple cities within Gujarat and Maharashtra, unravelling a large-scale cyber fraud worth over ₹100 crore. The investigation focuses on a sophisticated network of scammers accused of laundering money through digital scams and cryptocurrency conversions.

ED Conducts Major Raids in Gujarat and Maharashtra

The ED initiated raids in Surat and Ahmedabad in Gujarat, and Mumbai in Maharashtra, acting under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The operations stemmed from an FIR filed in 2024 by Gujarat Police implicating individuals, including Makbul Doctor, Kaashif Doctor, Bassam Doctor, Mahesh Mafatlal Desai, and Maaz Abdul Raheem Nada. These individuals are suspected of involvement in several forms of cybercrime extending beyond state and national borders.

Modus Operandi: Digital Arrests and Fake Summons

The accused allegedly engaged in cyber tactics like ‘digital arrests’, where victims were tricked into believing they were under surveillance by enforcement agencies. 

Victims were made to stay on live video calls via internet-based social platforms, receiving fake summons meant to intimidate them. Under such psychological duress, money was extorted through various digital payment channels, leading to the misappropriation of over ₹100 crore.

Network of Dummy Accounts and Forged KYC

Funds obtained through these scams were routed using bank accounts opened under false identities or forged KYC documents. According to sources, numerous mule accounts were set up to camouflage illegal transactions. These accounts served as interim holding areas before the money was either converted into cryptocurrency or sent abroad using informal hawala networks under the guise of ‘Angadiya’ operators.

Read More: Fake Bank Guarantee Scam: CBI Arrests 2 in ₹183 Crore Fraud Case!

Involvement of Cryptocurrency and Cross-Border Transfers

The ED’s probe found that the defrauded funds were often transformed into crypto assets for the purpose of international transfer, making them difficult to trace. The use of decentralised financial platforms enabled the scammers to bypass conventional banking scrutiny. Approximately ₹100 crore is believed to have been moved across jurisdictions, complicating efforts to secure asset recovery.

Conclusion

The ED’s crackdown on a ₹100 crore cyber fraud ring in Gujarat and Maharashtra exposes the growing threat of tech-enabled financial crimes. From fake police notices to crypto laundering through forged IDs, the case underscores the evolving challenges law enforcement must overcome to combat cybercriminals operating on digital fronts.

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