Film producer arrested in Pimpri Chinchwad for cyber fraud after bank account flagged in 15 cases

As the Pimpri-Chinchwad Cyber investigators launched a probe, they zeroed in on one specific bank account registered in Pune in the name of an entity Balaji Enterprises. A team from the Cyber police station identified the man Shivam Balkrushna Sanvatsarkar (34), a resident of Erandwane in Pune, who had opened the account. When the police team questioned the man he told the police that he was a film producer and denied involvement in any cybercrime activities.

As the police launched a thorough probe into the financial trails and electronic leads, it came to light that the suspect was in contact with a Chinese cyber operative going by the name of ‘Bambino’. “The arrested suspect connived with this Chinese operative for his bank account to be used in 15 different cyber frauds. Over a period of a few weeks, the suspect’s account saw transactions of Rs 86 lakh come through. We have also come across two more bank accounts of the suspect which are being investigated.” an officer said. Sanvatsarkar was arrested last week and details of his arrest were shared with the media on Monday after the completion of the initial probe.

“Probe suggests that the suspect has produced four films starting as early as 2011 when she was in his early 20s. One of his films stars a prominent Marathi actor while others are small-time productions.” said an officer.

Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad police have witnessed a worrying surge in online share trading fraud cases over the past two years. Fraudsters employ a variety of baits, including trading tips, virtual lectures, mobile applications, and enticing promises of exorbitant returns. Officials have also expressed concerns over citizens continuing to fall prey to these scams in spite of several advisories, sensitization campaigns and wide media coverage in this regard.