Surat Cyber Cell Cracks ₹46 Crore Cyber Crime Case
In a shocking revelation, the Surat Cyber Cell has successfully busted a massive Gujarat Rs 46 crore cyber crime racket, exposing an international online fraud network run by a father-son duo. What’s even more surprising is that both accused were once diamond polishers in Surat’s famous diamond industry, who turned to cybercrime after losing their jobs.
The accused, Pravin Dhandhal and his son Chandraraj Dhandhal, originally from Botad, ran the racket from a small 10×12-foot house in Surat’s Kosad area. What looked like a simple home was actually the hub of a nationwide and international online scam, operated under the aliases “Cobra” and “Victor.”
From Diamond Workers to Cybercrime Handlers
According to police reports, both Pravin and Chandraraj were working as skilled diamond polishers in Surat. However, when they lost their jobs two years ago, they started spending their time playing online betting games. During this period, they came into contact with a Dubai-based cyber mafia handler identified as Vipul alias Ankit.
Vipul added Pravin to a WhatsApp group, where several other handlers used code names like “Cobra” and “Victor.” This group introduced the Dhandhal duo to the world of organized cybercrime, connecting them to international fraud networks.
Cybercrime Hub Found in a Small Kosad Room
During the raid, the Surat Cyber Cell discovered a huge quantity of bank account kits hidden in cloth bundles inside the small Kosad house. Each kit included debit cards, checkbooks, passbooks, QR codes, and even card-swiping machines.
Officials were stunned to find that such a large-scale international cyber racket was being operated from such a small and ordinary-looking room. To avoid suspicion, the father-son duo stacked the illegal materials inside saree bundles, making it look like a small textile business from the outside.
The Lucrative Business of Bank Account Kits
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Bishakha Jain revealed that the duo created fake business firms and opened current accounts in various banks under those company names. After opening each account, they collected all the related materials — debit cards, passbooks, checkbooks, and SIM cards — which they called a “bank kit.”
Each bank kit was rented for up to ₹1.75 lakh, and they paid around ₹1.10 lakh to the middlemen who arranged the fake documents. Once collected, all data and kits were sent to Vipul alias Ankit in Dubai. These were then used by other cyber gangs across India for online scams, OTP frauds, and financial frauds.
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Seized Items from the Racket
Police seized a large amount of incriminating material from the site, including:
- Mobile phones: 3 units
- Bank debit cards: 12 units
- Passbooks: 19 units
- Checkbooks: 132 units
- SIM cards: 54 units
- SIM card covers: 54 units
- Rubber stamps: 7 units
- Swipe machine: 1 unit
- QR codes: 35 units
The evidence clearly showed that the accused were actively supplying these kits to fraudsters operating in different parts of the country.
Fraud Worth ₹45.92 Crore Across 26 States
Investigations revealed that this racket was responsible for 155 fake bank accounts linked to 432 separate complaints across India. The total fraud amount stood at a staggering ₹45,92,39,159 (Rs 46 crore).
The cyber scams connected to this racket spanned 26 states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, making it one of the biggest multi-state cyber fraud operations uncovered in recent years.
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Police Action Under New Laws
The Surat Cyber Cell has registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and the Information Technology Act.
The prime accused, Pravin Dhandhal, has been remanded to five days of police custody for interrogation. Efforts are also underway to arrest his son Chandraraj and other absconding associates involved in the racket.
Surat Police’s Ongoing Crackdown on Cybercrime
This operation is being seen as a major success for the Surat Cyber Cell, which has been intensifying its efforts against online financial crimes. The authorities have appealed to citizens to remain alert against suspicious online transactions and report any doubtful activity to the cyber helpline number 1930.
Officials added that unemployed youth are increasingly being targeted and lured by foreign-based cyber gangs offering quick money for illegal activities. The department has urged job seekers to stay cautious and avoid sharing personal or banking details with unknown contacts online.
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Conclusion: Gujarat Rs 46 Crore Cyber Crime Racket Busted
The Gujarat Rs 46 crore cyber crime racket busted in Surat serves as a stark reminder of how economic desperation can drive individuals into the web of organized online fraud. What began as unemployment in the diamond industry ended up as one of the largest cybercrime cases in the state’s history.
With the arrest of the key accused and further investigations underway, authorities are hopeful that more such hidden networks will be exposed soon, ensuring tighter cyber surveillance and stricter enforcement across India.
