Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: A joint investigation by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch into an online fraud case has uncovered an alleged international cybercrime syndicate operating from Goa, leading to the arrest of 12 persons from a rented villa in Candolim.
The arrests were made after Crime Branch Unit 2, while probing a cyber fraud case registered at Paydhuni Police Station in Mumbai, traced suspicious financial transactions to Goa. Investigators suspected that bank accounts fraudulently opened in Mumbai were being used to route money through an organised network based in the coastal state.
Acting on the intelligence, police conducted a raid at the Candolim premises, where the accused were allegedly coordinating the movement of funds linked to cyber fraud and online gaming activities.
During the operation, officers recovered 15 laptops, 128 ATM cards, 89 mobile phones, 76 SIM cards and 22 cheque books. Police believe these items were used to create and operate a network of bank accounts for illegal financial transactions.
The investigation has revealed that the group allegedly relied on online platforms known as ‘900 Panel’ and ‘Rudra’ to process transactions. Investigators suspect the accused received a commission for transferring money generated through cyber fraud and illegal online gaming operations.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Raj Tilak Roshan said the investigation uncovered a structured operation in which bank accounts sourced from Mumbai were allegedly handed over to members of the syndicate in Goa. According to him, those arrested had been trained to transfer funds through multiple accounts in an attempt to conceal the money trail.
Police estimate that the network handled transactions worth more than ₹5 crore over the last five months alone. Investigators are now examining how the bank accounts were procured and whether more individuals or financial intermediaries were involved.
Officials further said the operation was allegedly directed by individuals based in Dubai, while the Goa-based accused managed the day-to-day execution of the racket. Efforts are underway to identify and trace the overseas masterminds as the investigation expands.
