In a significant development in a major financial fraud case, Kanpur police have uncovered a connection between two high-profile accused individuals involved in separate cryptocurrency and investment scams. The investigation has revealed that Ravindranath Soni, arrested for allegedly defrauding over 1,500 people across multiple countries, was in contact with Amit Lakhanpal, who is accused in a separate digital currency fraud case.
The Arrest and Initial Findings
Kotwali police arrested Ravindranath Soni, a resident of Delhi's Malviya Nagar, from Dehradun. He was wanted in a case involving a fraud amounting to Rs 42.29 lakh. Following his arrest, the police secured a six-day remand for interrogation, during which they unearthed shocking details about the scale of his operations.
Investigators stated that Soni had opened 12 different companies, including one named Bluechip. Using these entities, he allegedly orchestrated investment frauds targeting victims in several countries, including India, Dubai, Malaysia, Nepal, and Japan. The police received numerous complaints via email and WhatsApp. So far, Kotwali police have registered 24 First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with his activities, which include 6 zero FIRs.
The Cryptocurrency Connection Emerges
The case took a more complex turn when the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Commissionerate Police began a deeper probe. A crucial breakthrough came from an analysis of Soni's call detail records. Police discovered that he had multiple conversations with Amit Lakhanpal, who is accused of creating unregistered digital currency and defrauding investors.
ADCP East Anjali Vishwakarma confirmed that Lakhanpal's mobile number was found in Soni's call logs. This discovery prompted a coordinated investigation. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had already been investigating aspects of the fraud, and after its report, a comprehensive dossier on the scams conducted in the name of Bluechip and other companies was shared with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Wide-Ranging Network and Legal Action
The investigation suggests Soni's network was extensive. Police sources indicated his links connected with several actors and players. He reportedly contacted multiple actors for promoting his companies. Furthermore, it was revealed that Soni himself had launched a digital currency scheme, mirroring the modus operandi of his alleged associate, Lakhanpal.
The legal net is tightening around the accused. Authorities confirmed that the ED and the CBI have already issued a Silver Notice against Soni with the assistance of Interpol. The SIT is now meticulously investigating the nature and depth of the connection between Soni and Lakhanpal to unravel the full extent of their alleged collaborative financial crimes.
This case highlights the sophisticated and interconnected nature of modern financial fraud, where traditional investment scams converge with unregulated digital currency schemes, causing significant losses to a global pool of victims.
