Rajkot Agricultural Trader Files Cyber Fraud Complaint After Losing Rs 20 Lakh
A 26-year-old trader from Rajkot district has lodged a formal complaint with the Cyber Crime police station, alleging a sophisticated cyber fraud that resulted in the unauthorized siphoning of nearly Rs 20 lakh from his firm's bank account. The incident highlights growing concerns about digital banking security in commercial transactions.
Details of the Complainant and the Alleged Fraud
The complainant, identified as Khurban Damra, is a resident of Ghunta village in Gondal taluka of Rajkot district. Damra operates a firm named Om Enterprise, which deals in agricultural products. In his police complaint, he has named Vinod Bhojwani, Ronak Jethwa, and other unidentified individuals as the accused parties in this financial cybercrime.
According to the filed complaint, the fraud was discovered on March 5, 2024, when Vimal Kathrotiya, an employee of Om Enterprise, visited the bank to execute an RTGS money transfer to another business entity. Bank officials informed Kathrotiya that the firm's account lacked sufficient funds for the transaction. Upon detailed examination of the account statements, it was revealed that three separate unauthorized transactions had been made, collectively amounting to Rs 19.99 lakh.
How the Cyber Fraud Unfolded
The funds were allegedly transferred from Om Enterprise's bank account to an account held by another firm without the knowledge or consent of the account holder. Damra further reported that the email ID registered with the bank for communication and alerts had become completely inaccessible, suggesting a coordinated digital breach.
During preliminary police investigations, it was ascertained that the siphoned money was transferred to a Punjab National Bank account belonging to a firm named Nishi Fashion. This firm is owned by one of the accused, Vinod Bhojwani. When confronted, Bhojwani allegedly told Damra that the substantial sum had been deposited into his account by Ronak Jethwa, a resident of Rajkot.
Bhojwani further claimed that, after retaining a commission of approximately Rs 39,400, he subsequently returned the remaining funds to Jethwa through an angadia service—a traditional informal courier system used for transferring money and goods.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
Rajkot Cyber Crime police officials stated that the accused individuals, along with other unidentified accomplices, allegedly used computer resources to illegally gain access to both the bank account and the associated email ID of Om Enterprise. The perpetrators are accused of fraudulently obtaining bank OTPs (One-Time Passwords), which enabled them to authorize the transactions and siphon off the nearly Rs 20 lakh.
Based on the complaint, a formal case has been registered under Sections 318(4) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, have been invoked to address the cybercrime aspects of the incident. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to trace the full money trail and apprehend all individuals involved in the alleged fraud network.
This case underscores the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures for businesses, particularly those engaged in online banking and financial operations. It serves as a stark reminder for firms to regularly monitor account activities, secure communication channels, and implement multi-factor authentication protocols to safeguard against such sophisticated cyber threats.
