Pune Cyber Police Intensify Manhunt for Influencer in Multi-Crore Digital Fraud Case
The Pune cyber police have launched a widespread search operation for a prominent "reel star" active on a major video-sharing platform, who is allegedly involved in a sophisticated digital arrest scam. This elaborate fraud scheme resulted in an 82-year-old resident of Bhandarkar Road being swindled out of a staggering Rs 10.7 crore, comprising his lifetime savings and fixed deposits.
Arrests Made and International Links Uncovered
Earlier this year, authorities arrested two individuals from Karvenagar: 23-year-old BTech student Harshad Subhas Dhantole and 24-year-old unemployed youth Samarth Suresh Deshmukh. Following their apprehension on February 22, the investigation took a significant turn, revealing the involvement of the well-known social media influencer, whose content enjoys a substantial following in the Marathwada and north Maharashtra regions.
Senior Inspector Swapnali Shinde provided critical insights into the case, stating, "Our probe into the financial trail revealed that a substantial amount of the defrauded money was credited to the reel star's bank account." She further elaborated that the influencer was allegedly in direct contact with one of the primary accused and played a key role in arranging local mule bank accounts to facilitate the fraudulent transactions.
Modus Operandi: A Chilling Digital Deception
The scam involved fraudsters impersonating officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the judiciary. They falsely implicated the elderly victim in a fabricated money laundering case, claiming illegal transactions were linked to his bank accounts.
"Impersonating government officials, they placed him under a so-called digital arrest. To make the deception convincing, they even staged a virtual courtroom and arranged supposed legal assistance. The victim was ultimately persuaded to transfer Rs 10.7 crore to multiple bank accounts controlled by the fraudsters," explained a police officer involved in the investigation.
Questioning of Girlfriend and Altered Online Persona
Police teams conducted extensive searches for the influencer in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Pimpri Chinchwad, but he has successfully evaded capture thus far. During the investigation, authorities also questioned the influencer's girlfriend, who resides in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Shinde noted, "While probing his role, we found that some funds had been transferred to the bank account of a woman closely associated with him. She was traced and identified as his girlfriend. We reviewed her videos and circulated screenshots during the inquiry. However, we noted that her real-life appearance differed significantly from how she appeared in her online content, which mainly features short entertainment and comedy clips."
After questioning her, the police issued a formal notice directing her to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. "We also found that she uses several online filters to alter her appearance in videos to generate more likes and views," Shinde added, highlighting the deceptive practices employed in their online activities.
International Dimensions and Cryptocurrency Trail
The investigation has uncovered alarming international connections. Shinde revealed that further scrutiny of the money trail indicated some suspects were in contact with handlers based in China and Hong Kong. "A portion of the stolen funds was converted into cryptocurrency and transferred overseas," she stated.
Police have identified two additional individuals linked to the case, including one with direct connections to the main fraudsters. "Forensic analysis of seized mobile phones indicated that the money was routed through a cryptocurrency exchange before being transferred to crypto platforms based in China," Shinde explained. She further confirmed that one of the absconding suspects had maintained communication with handlers operating from China.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Appeal
The Pune cyber police continue their relentless pursuit of the reel star and other suspects involved in this high-profile scam. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant against similar digital fraud schemes and to report any suspicious activities immediately. The case underscores the growing sophistication of cybercrimes targeting vulnerable individuals and the critical need for enhanced digital literacy and security measures among all age groups.
