Ahmedabad: The cybercrime branch of the city police has arrested thirteen individuals, including the alleged mastermind, in the case of cyber fraud amounting to Rs 1.15 crore, involving Shailendra Raj Mehta, the president and director of Mudra Institute of Communications (MICA).

Among the 13 accused, four individuals, namely Moin Ingariya (main suspect, 26), Mihir Topiya (23), Praful Valani (43), and Rohit Vaghela (24), hail from Dhoraji in Rajkot. Four others are from Rajkot city — Ronak Sojitra (23), Yogirajsinh Jadeja (36), Ravi Savsheta (26), and Sagar Dabhi (31). Two accused are from Porbandar: Merubhai Karmata (24) and Kisha Bharai (45). Three individuals – Ankit Desai (29), Kiran Desai (29), and Rohan Leuva (26) – are from Ahmedabad.

The Police stated that the key suspect Moin had completed only Class 10 education. Six of the 13 had bank accounts in their names for transferring the extorted funds. It is learnt that Moin would consult Mihir for accounts to transfer the extorted money, following which Mihir would provide bank account details of the other six accused. They would then withdraw the funds and deliver them to Moin through Mihir. The investigation is ongoing to identify individuals responsible for utilizing forged documents, including warrants with CBI letterhead, said Inspector Paras Makwana, the investigating officer in the case.

Mehta was duped by fake police calls on March 20, leading him to transfer Rs 1.15 crore. The scammers claimed his package, seized by Mumbai Customs, contained illegal items. They also alleged unauthorized transactions from his bank account, pressuring him to transfer funds to two other accounts, posing as Mumbai Cyber Crime and CBI officials. Subsequently, the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell launched an investigation, arresting twelve on April 12 and the mastermind on April 13. DeshGujarat