Repeat cybercrime offender booked for operating web of ‘rented accounts’

Rajkot: A cyberfraud suspect with a criminal record was booked by Junagadh’s special operations group, for a multi-state scam involving at least Rs 39 lakh, unravelling a web of ‘rented bank accounts’, sim cards and mobile phones used to siphon off victims’ money.

A complaint was filed at Junagadh City B Division police station on Saturday against 28-year-old Kevin Dekiwadiya, who was earlier booked for cyberfraud. Kevin had been absconding in connection with a cyberfraud case registered at Sheel police station. He had been apprehended by police in Ahmedabad on April 18.

Police allegedly found multiple bags in his possession containing passbooks and chequebooks from different banks, credit cards, sim cards from various service providers and five mobile phones.

The SOG found that Kevin, along with around 17 bank account holders, arranged for proceeds of cyberfraud to be deposited into their accounts. Victims from several Indian states were targeted, with more than Rs 39 lakh deposited across multiple accounts. Investigators said the money was later withdrawn in cash or transferred to other bank accounts as part of the scam.

Vikram Chawda, an ASI with the Junagadh SOG, lodged a complaint at Junagadh City B Division police station under BNS Sections 317(2), 318(4) and 54, along with relevant provisions of the IT Act, against Kevin Dekiwadiya and several bank account holders.

According to investigating officer Ankur Chaudhary, Kevin obtained bank account kits from different account holders by offering them financial incentives. Kevin is currently in judicial custody, and Junagadh B Division police have begun the process of securing his custody through a court transfer warrant.