EOW Jammu arrests fraud accused Riyaz Ahmad Matoo after 7 years on the run
Synopsis
Seven years of hiding across Srinagar and Delhi could not shield Riyaz Ahmad Matoo from the EOW Crime Branch Jammu. A specially constituted surveillance team tracked him down in the interior of Srinagar, busting a fraud gang and delivering on a chargesheet that had been waiting in court for two accused who kept moving to stay free.
Key Takeaways
EOW Crime Branch Jammu arrested Riyaz Ahmad Matoo on 11 June after he evaded arrest for seven years .
Matoo is accused in FIR No.
21/2019 under Sections 420 and 120-B RPC — cheating and criminal conspiracy.
He had been moving between Srinagar , Delhi , and other cities to avoid detection.
A special team led by DySP Tahir Hussain , Inspector Naveen Sharma , and Inspector Chander Bhushan conducted the operation.
A preliminary chargesheet has already been filed before the JMIC Court, Jammu ; investigation is ongoing.
SSP Faisal Qureshi has urged the public to report fraud cases to the EOW.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the J&K Crime Branch, Jammu, on Thursday, 11 June, arrested a long-absconding accused in a cheating and criminal conspiracy case, ending a seven-year manhunt. The accused, Riyaz Ahmad Matoo, son of Gh. Nabi Matoo, a resident of Sada Kadal, Rainawari, Srinagar, was apprehended from the interior of Srinagar following sustained surveillance and targeted field operations.
The Accused and the Case
Matoo was wanted in FIR No. 21/2019, registered under Sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) at Police Station Crime Branch Jammu. He had been evading arrest for seven years by frequently shifting residences across Srinagar, Delhi, and other parts of the country, deliberately concealing his whereabouts to frustrate legal action.
How the Arrest Was Made
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a special team was constituted under the supervision of SSP, EOW Crime Branch Jammu. The team comprised DySP Tahir Hussain, Inspector Naveen Sharma, and Inspector Chander Bhushan, along with other Crime Branch officials. After extensive field operations tracking Matoo across multiple locations, the team successfully apprehended him in Srinagar.
Wider Gang Busted
According to the EOW, the arrest effectively dismantles a gang of fraudsters and cheaters that had been operating in the region. A preliminary chargesheet had already been presented before the Court of JMIC (Sub-Judge), Jammu, against two accused who had similarly been evading arrest. Further investigation into the case remains in progress, officials confirmed.
Appeal to the Public
SSP Faisal Qureshi, Crime Branch EOW Jammu, appealed to the general public to come forward with complaints involving fraud and cheating so that offenders can be identified and prosecuted. The arrest is being cited as a demonstration of the EOW's commitment to pursuing accused persons regardless of their evasion tactics or geographic movement within the country.
With the case still under active investigation, further arrests or developments in the matter are expected in the coming weeks.
Point of View
Unlike violent criminals, rarely attract the same intensity of pursuit, allowing them to blend into urban anonymity. The fact that a preliminary chargesheet had already been filed but two accused were still free underscores how courts can proceed while enforcement lags. The public appeal by SSP Qureshi is a tacit acknowledgement that tip-offs from citizens remain a critical gap-filler in white-collar crime detection.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Riyaz Ahmad Matoo and why was he arrested?
Riyaz Ahmad Matoo is an accused in FIR No. 21/2019, registered at Police Station Crime Branch Jammu under Sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the RPC. He was arrested by EOW Crime Branch Jammu on 11 June after evading authorities for seven years by frequently changing his residence across Srinagar, Delhi, and other cities.
What is the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Jammu?
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is a specialised unit of the J&K Crime Branch that investigates financial crimes including fraud, cheating, and criminal conspiracy. It operates under senior police supervision and handles cases involving economic offenders across Jammu and Kashmir.
How did the EOW track down Matoo after seven years?
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, EOW constituted a special team comprising DySP Tahir Hussain, Inspector Naveen Sharma, and Inspector Chander Bhushan. The team conducted sustained surveillance and extensive field operations before apprehending Matoo in the interior of Srinagar.
What is the current status of the case?
A preliminary chargesheet has already been presented before the Court of JMIC (Sub-Judge), Jammu. Further investigation into the case is ongoing, and additional developments are expected as the probe progresses.
Has the gang linked to this fraud case been fully busted?
According to EOW Jammu, the arrest of Matoo effectively dismantles the gang of fraudsters involved in the case. However, investigation is still in progress, suggesting authorities have not ruled out further action against other individuals connected to the network.
