Gujarat man arrested for taking ₹3.18 crore with fake ED, CBI contacts
Synopsis
An Ahmedabad angadia firm paid ₹3.18 crore to a man who claimed he could use his ED and CBI contacts to recover ₹11.10 crore seized in a federal raid — and got nothing in return. The accused, an OCI cardholder with prior fraud cases including an alleged ₹120 crore Lucknow scam, allegedly also executed a fake notarised agreement for ₹13.20 crore to lend his scheme credibility.
Key Takeaways
Vijaykumar Patel alias Vijay Mukhi was arrested by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch on 1 July 2025 for allegedly defrauding an angadia firm of ₹3,18,65,900 .
The accused falsely claimed he could use contacts in the ED and CBI to recover ₹11.10 crore seized from Vishnubhai Kantilal Company during a raid on 6 December 2024 .
He allegedly executed a notarised agreement for ₹13.20 crore in an associate's name to falsely establish ownership of the seized cash.
A case is registered against five accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ; Vijaykumar has been granted six days' police remand .
The accused has prior fraud cases in Kadi , Santhal , and Lucknow , including an alleged ₹120 crore cheating case in Lucknow.
He is an OCI cardholder who previously lived in the United Kingdom and held citizenship in Vanuatu .
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested a man accused of fraudulently collecting ₹3.18 crore from the owners of an angadia firm by falsely claiming he could leverage high-level contacts within the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to secure the release of ₹11.10 crore seized during a federal raid. The arrest was confirmed by officials on Wednesday, 1 July 2025.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The case traces back to an ED raid on 6 December 2024 at Vishnubhai Kantilal Company, an angadia firm operating from Suvarna Kala Complex on C.G. Road, Ahmedabad. During the raid, officials seized ₹11.10 crore in cash, four mobile phones, and a digital video recorder (DVR).
Shortly after news of the raid became public, the accused — identified as Vijaykumar Patel alias Vijay Mukhi — approached the firm's owners. He claimed to have strong connections within the ED and the CBI and assured them he could facilitate the return of the seized funds. Believing his claims, the firm's owners and company members allegedly paid him ₹3,18,65,900 across separate instalments.
Broken Promises and a Notarised Deception
According to investigators, neither the seized money was recovered nor was the amount paid to Vijaykumar returned, despite repeated demands from the complainants after six to eight months had elapsed. He reportedly continued to offer assurances that the matter was being handled, without providing any satisfactory resolution.
Investigators further alleged that Vijaykumar executed a notarised agreement in the name of one of his associates for ₹13.20 crore — purportedly in an attempt to establish a claim over the ED-seized cash and facilitate its release. This step, police said, was a deliberate part of the scheme to maintain the deception.
Accused's Background and Prior Criminal History
Police identified Vijaykumar as a native of Kukarwada in Mehsana district, with residential addresses in Kadi and Chandlodia, Ahmedabad. He lived in Leicester, United Kingdom, between 2010 and 2018, before travelling to Vanuatu in 2021, where he obtained citizenship and resided in the capital, Port Vila. He returned to India in 2022 and has since been residing as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder.
Notably, Vijaykumar has prior criminal cases registered at Kadi, Santhal, and Lucknow police stations, involving allegations of cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and offences under the Information Technology Act. He reportedly spent around two to three months in jail in connection with an alleged ₹120 crore cheating case in Lucknow.
Case Registered, Remand Granted
A case has been registered against five accused at DCB Police Station, Part 'A', under Sections 316(2), 318(4), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The other accused named in the case include Darshan Bhai, Sudhanshu Jha, and one other individual. Vijaykumar was produced before a court, which granted police a six-day remand. Examination of his mobile phone is ongoing.
The Crime Branch has appealed to anyone who believes they may have been similarly defrauded to come forward and contact investigating officers, suggesting the accused's alleged modus operandi may have claimed additional victims.
Point of View
The affected parties — often operating in grey-area cash businesses — have nowhere legitimate to turn, making them easy prey for fixers who trade on the mystique of ED and CBI connections. The alleged use of a notarised agreement for ₹13.20 crore to simulate legal ownership of seized funds shows a level of operational sophistication that goes beyond opportunistic fraud. The accused's international footprint — UK residency, Vanuatu citizenship, OCI status — and a prior ₹120 crore Lucknow case raise questions about how such individuals continue to operate across jurisdictions. The Crime Branch's public appeal for additional victims suggests the damage may be wider than one firm.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Vijaykumar Patel alias Vijay Mukhi?
Vijaykumar Patel, also known as Vijay Mukhi, is a Gujarat-origin man arrested by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch for allegedly defrauding an angadia firm of ₹3.18 crore. He is a native of Kukarwada in Mehsana district, holds OCI status, and previously lived in the United Kingdom and Vanuatu, where he obtained citizenship.
What was the fraud allegedly committed by the accused?
The accused allegedly approached the owners of Vishnubhai Kantilal Company after an ED raid seized ₹11.10 crore from the firm in December 2024. He claimed to have high-level contacts in the ED and CBI who could secure the release of the funds, collected ₹3,18,65,900 in instalments, and then neither recovered the money nor returned what he had taken.
What charges have been filed in the case?
A case has been registered against five accused at DCB Police Station, Part 'A', under Sections 316(2), 318(4), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Vijaykumar has been produced before a court, which granted police a six-day remand.
Does the accused have prior criminal cases?
Yes. Vijaykumar has prior cases at Kadi, Santhal, and Lucknow police stations involving cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and IT Act offences. He reportedly spent two to three months in jail in connection with an alleged ₹120 crore cheating case in Lucknow.
What was the notarised agreement for ₹13.20 crore?
Investigators allege that Vijaykumar executed a notarised agreement in an associate's name for ₹13.20 crore in an attempt to falsely establish ownership over the cash seized by the ED and use it to facilitate the money's release — a move police describe as a deliberate part of the fraud.
