Gujarat police trace ₹60 lakh trail in fake astrology racket; 2 held
Synopsis
An inter-state gang from Bikaner allegedly used fake astrology and 'kinnar guruma' Instagram profiles — boosted with paid ads targeting 18-to-35-year-olds interested in 'love problems' — to blackmail over 65 victims across India. Investigators have traced nearly ₹60 lakh in transactions, and the use of Instagram's own advertising tools to funnel victims into a blackmail trap marks a disturbing new chapter in organised cyber fraud.
Key Takeaways
Vikas Bhargav of Bikaner, Rajasthan was arrested in Jaipur on 25 May 2025 and brought to Ahmedabad on a four-day remand .
Investigators traced transactions worth nearly ₹60 lakh linked to the accused over the past two years .
The gang allegedly used Instagram's ad-boosting feature to target men and women aged 18–35 , selecting interests like 'love problems' and astrology.
Preliminary findings suggest more than 65 people were defrauded; 300 mobile numbers were contacted in a single month alone.
A second accused, Rajnish Bhargav , was arrested earlier; a third suspect, Ravi Bhargav , remains absconding.
The case is registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act .
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch on Monday, 25 May arrested another member of an inter-state gang accused of blackmailing and extorting victims through fake astrology and 'kinnar guruma' profiles on Instagram, with investigators uncovering transactions worth nearly ₹60 lakh linked to the accused over the past two years. The latest arrest is part of a widening probe that has already flagged over 65 potential victims and traced 300 mobile numbers contacted by the gang in a single month.
Who Was Arrested
The accused, Vikas Bhargav, a resident of the Gangashahar area of Bikaner, Rajasthan, was arrested in Jaipur and brought to Ahmedabad. A court subsequently granted the Cyber Crime Branch a four-day remand for further investigation.
Police had earlier arrested a second accused, Rajnish Bhargav, a B.A. graduate also from Bikaner. A third suspect, Ravi Bhargav, remains at large.
How the Racket Operated
According to officials, the gang allegedly created fake profiles on Instagram and Facebook, posing as astrologers, relationship experts, and 'kinnar gurumas' to lure individuals facing emotional distress or personal difficulties. One key account used was 'astrologer_pooja_kinnar_maa', through which the accused reportedly contacted victims by claiming they could resolve issues related to love, marriage, and personal relationships.
Investigators allege the gang built victims' trust before requesting photographs and personal details on the pretext of performing rituals, pujas, and 'vashikaran' practices. The photographs were then allegedly edited and used to threaten victims with online circulation unless money was paid.
Police further allege that victims were coerced during WhatsApp video calls into compromising situations, with screen recordings subsequently used as blackmail material. The accused reportedly exploited Instagram's 'One View' disappearing media feature to share and leverage such content.
Scale of the Fraud
In the specific case registered at Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police Station, the accused allegedly extorted ₹1,43,951 from one victim across multiple bank transactions. Preliminary findings suggest more than 65 people may have been defrauded overall.
Investigators also found that the gang allegedly used Instagram's ad-boosting feature to specifically target men and women aged between 18 and 35 years, selecting audience interest categories such as 'love problems' and astrology to reach potential victims. This use of paid digital advertising to funnel targets into a blackmail operation marks a notable escalation in the sophistication of cyber fraud in India.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
The offence has been registered under Sections 75(2), 77, 78(2), 308(2), 318(4), 351(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 66(D) and 67 of the Information Technology Act.
Several Instagram accounts allegedly linked to the gang — including 'astrologer_pooja_kinnar_maa', 'astrotalk_with_bheravlal', 'kinnargurumatasushilaji', 'acharya_vikasshastri', 'aghoribalaknath', 'kinnar_maa_santoshdevi', 'dishank_sashtri', and 'astro_surya_prakash_shastri' — remain under examination. Two Facebook accounts, 'Om Mahakal Jotyshi' and 'Kinnar maa santosh devi', are also being probed.
The arrests were made under Mission Cyber Rakshika #SecureHerSpace, an initiative by Ahmedabad City Police to protect women from cyber crimes, online harassment, blackmail, and digital exploitation. The Cyber Crime Branch has issued a public advisory urging citizens not to share personal photographs or information with unknown individuals encountered through social media astrology or ritual-related advertisements. With one accused still absconding, the investigation is ongoing.
Point of View
The actual scale is almost certainly larger — a pattern seen repeatedly in Indian cyber-blackmail cases where victims stay silent out of shame. The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch's Mission Cyber Rakshika is a step forward, but the absconsion of a third accused and the still-active accounts under probe suggest the dismantling is incomplete.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fake astrology racket busted by Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch?
It is an inter-state blackmail operation in which accused individuals allegedly created fake Instagram and Facebook profiles posing as astrologers and 'kinnar gurumas' to lure victims, obtain personal photographs, and extort money under threat of viral circulation. Investigators have traced nearly ₹60 lakh in transactions linked to the accused over two years.
Who has been arrested in connection with this case?
Two accused — Vikas Bhargav and Rajnish Bhargav , both residents of Bikaner, Rajasthan — have been arrested so far. A third accused, Ravi Bhargav , remains absconding.
How did the gang find and target victims?
According to police, the gang allegedly used Instagram's paid ad-boosting feature, selecting audience interest categories such as 'love problems' and astrology to specifically reach men and women aged 18 to 35. Victims were then contacted through fake astrologer or 'kinnar guruma' profiles.
How many people were affected by this racket?
Preliminary findings suggest more than 65 people may have been defrauded. Additionally, around 300 mobile numbers were contacted by the accused in a single month, indicating the operation's wide reach.
What should people do to protect themselves from such scams?
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has advised citizens to remain cautious of social media advertisements related to astrology, rituals, vashikaran, or personal problem solutions, and to never share personal photographs, videos, or information with unknown individuals online.
