The Ahmedabad city cybercrime police have apprehended the alleged mastermind of an online fraud and sextortion racket that preyed on individuals seeking assistance for troubled relationships and marriage issues through counterfeit astrology and 'vashikaran' services, officials confirmed on Monday.
Arrest and Remand
The accused, identified as Vikas Bhargav of Gangashahar in Rajasthan's Bikaner district, was detained from Jaipur and subsequently brought to Ahmedabad. A local court granted the cybercrime police a four-day remand for further interrogation.
Modus Operandi
According to investigators, Bhargav and his associates allegedly operated several fake social media accounts, including an Instagram profile named 'astrologer_pooja_kinnar_maa', posing as an astrologer and 'Kinnar Guruma' Pooja to lure vulnerable individuals facing personal and marital problems.
Police stated that victims were convinced to share photographs and personal details under the pretext of astrology consultations, rituals, and 'vashikaran' procedures. Cybercrime officials alleged that the photographs were later morphed and used to threaten victims with circulation on social media platforms unless money was paid.
Extortion Tactics
Investigators further alleged that some victims were persuaded during video calls to remove their clothes in the name of 'purification rituals'. The calls were reportedly screen-recorded and subsequently used for blackmail and extortion.
In one complaint, a victim allegedly transferred Rs 1.43 lakh in multiple transactions after receiving threats from the accused. During the probe, police discovered that financial transactions worth nearly Rs 60 lakh had been carried out by the fraudsters over the last two years.
Scale of Operations
Officials suspect that more than 65 people may have been targeted. Investigators also found that around 300 mobile numbers had been contacted in the last month alone using different SIM cards and fake accounts.
The arrest followed the questioning of Rajnish Bhargav, who was detained earlier this month from Bikaner. Another accused, Ravi Bhargav, remains absconding.
Police said the accused used multiple SIM cards, fake profiles, and voice-modulation techniques to conceal their identities. The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
