Gujarat engineer arrested in crypto fraud; bank account tied to 8 cases worth ₹24.72 crore
Synopsis
A Surat software engineer allegedly rented out his bank account to cyber fraudsters for a 2% commission — and that single account has now been linked to eight separate fraud cases worth ₹24.72 crore across multiple states. The arrest exposes a growing 'money mule' layer in India's crypto scam ecosystem, where technically educated individuals enable large-scale fraud for a cut.
Key Takeaways
Divyesh Patel , a 29-year-old software engineer from Surat , was arrested on 9 July by the Surat City Cyber Crime Cell .
The complainant lost ₹72,73,600 after being lured via Telegram into a fake cryptocurrency trading platform.
Patel allegedly provided his IDBI Bank account details to an absconding accused in exchange for a 2% commission on transactions.
A total of ₹1,60,84,505 passed through Patel's bank account, of which ₹17 lakh belonged to the complainant.
The Samanvaya Portal linked the account to 8 cyber fraud complaints across multiple states, with combined alleged fraud of ₹24,72,31,464 .
An absconding accused remains at large; the FIR invokes the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the IT (Amendment) Act, 2008 .
The Surat City Cyber Crime Cell on Thursday, 9 July arrested Divyesh Patel, a 29-year-old software engineer, in connection with an alleged online investment fraud in which a complainant lost over ₹72.73 lakh after being lured with promises of high returns from cryptocurrency trading. The accused's bank account was subsequently found linked to eight separate cyber fraud complaints across multiple states, involving a combined alleged fraud of ₹24,72,31,464.
How the Fraud Unfolded
According to the Cyber Crime Cell, the scam began when the complainant was approached on Telegram by fraudsters who shared a link to a fake cryptocurrency trading website. The victim was persuaded to open an account on the platform and was assured of substantial profits.
Trusting those assurances, the complainant transferred a total of ₹72,73,600 into multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. The promised returns never materialised and the funds were not returned. The complainant subsequently reported the incident through the cyber crime helpline, prompting police to register a case at the Cyber Crime Police Station.
The Accused and His Role
Divyesh Patel, who holds a B.Tech degree in Electrical Engineering and is employed at a software company, was residing at Shiv Residency near Tirupati Circle in New Althan, Surat at the time of his arrest. He originally hails from Akala village in Amreli district's Lathi taluka.
Investigators allege that Patel provided the banking kit associated with his IDBI Bank account to an absconding accused for use in cyber fraud, reportedly in exchange for a two per cent commission on transactions. A total of ₹1,60,84,505 in transactions passed through the same account, according to police.
Wider Network Uncovered
Verification through the Samanvaya Portal — a national database for coordinating cyber fraud investigations — revealed that the bank account in question was linked to eight cyber fraud complaints registered across different states. The combined alleged fraud value in those cases stands at ₹24,72,31,464, according to police records.
Of the complainant's money, ₹17 lakh was traced directly to the IDBI Bank account linked to Patel. The arrest was made by a team led by Police Inspector A.M. Mori following technical analysis.
Legal Provisions Invoked
The FIR has been registered under Sections 318(4), 336(2), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Section 66(D) of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008. An absconding accused remains at large, and the investigation is continuing.
Police Advisory to the Public
The Cyber Crime Cell has urged citizens to avoid unsolicited investment offers related to forex, share trading, or cryptocurrency without independent verification. Police also advised people to exit and block unknown WhatsApp or Telegram groups, avoid escalating investments after receiving small initial returns, and refrain from transferring money to strangers met through social media or matrimonial websites. Suspected cyber fraud can be reported by calling the national cyber crime helpline.
Point of View
Unaware or indifferent to the criminal chain they enable. The Samanvaya Portal's ability to surface eight linked cases across states signals that India's cyber fraud coordination architecture is maturing — but the volume of ₹24.72 crore flowing through a single account also shows how far enforcement still lags the scale of the problem. Until account-lending is treated as seriously as the primary fraud, the supply of 'clean' bank accounts for scam networks will remain abundant.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Divyesh Patel and why was he arrested?
Divyesh Patel is a 29-year-old software engineer from Surat, Gujarat, arrested on 9 July by the Surat City Cyber Crime Cell. He is accused of providing his IDBI Bank account to an absconding cyber fraudster in exchange for a 2% commission, enabling a cryptocurrency trading scam that cheated a complainant of ₹72.73 lakh.
How did the cryptocurrency trading scam work?
Fraudsters contacted the complainant via Telegram, shared a link to a fake crypto trading website, and persuaded the victim to deposit funds with promises of high returns. The complainant transferred ₹72,73,600 into multiple accounts; the money was never returned and the profits never materialised.
Why is the accused's bank account significant?
Verification through the Samanvaya Portal revealed that Patel's IDBI Bank account was linked to eight separate cyber fraud complaints registered across different states, with a combined alleged fraud value of ₹24,72,31,464 — making it a key node in a wider criminal network.
What charges have been filed against Divyesh Patel?
The FIR has been registered under Sections 318(4), 336(2), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Section 66(D) of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008. An absconding accused linked to the same case remains at large.
How can people protect themselves from crypto trading scams?
Police advise citizens to avoid unsolicited investment offers on Telegram or WhatsApp without independent verification, exit unknown group chats, and not escalate deposits after receiving small initial returns — a common manipulation tactic. Suspected fraud should be reported immediately to the national cyber crime helpline.
