Russian linked to Rs 70-lakh online share trading scam arrested in Goa

As per a press release issued Saturday by Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime) Sandeep Doiphode, earlier this year, a resident of Wakad lost Rs 70.05 lakh in an online share trading scam. An FIR in this case was lodged at the cyber police station.

As per the FIR, the conmen added the victim to a WhatsApp group and lured him with the promise of huge profits through online share trading and subscribing to IPOs. The conmen made the victim install a mobile app for online share trading. Later, as per their instructions, the victim kept on transferring money into different bank accounts to “buy shares”. In time, he came to know that he was not getting any returns.

During investigation, police zeroed down on the ‘mule’ bank accounts in which the victim had transferred his money. A probe revealed that on November 26, Rs 28 lakhs was siphoned off from a Cosmos Bank account by the conmen. Further probe revealed that the said account was operated from Goa by two foreign nationals Tony and Mark.

A team of Pune police went to Goa and with the help of local police nabbed Tony alias Anatoliy Mironov from Mandrem in Goa. Following leads obtained from his interrogation, police arrested Mane from Kothrud. A court remanded Tony and Mane to police custody till December 15 for further investigation.

Police said Tony is found to have visited Malaysia, from where he allegedly operated the mule accounts used for cyber fraud. His name also cropped up as an accused in two offences lodged in Gujarat, the press release stated.

A police officer said Tony is suspected of having links with Malaysian racketeers involved in cyber scams and in converting Crypto currency to cash.
Assistant Inspector Swami said that Tony works as a barber in Russia and frequently visited India on a tourist visa. He came to India in March this year, and again in September.

Swami said accused Mane is a mule account handler who went to Goa to meet Tony. Police said Mane collected bank account details and cellphone numbers from his friends on the pretext of online gaming and then allegedly provided the information to Tony in Goa.

Police said it is searching for Mark, who too is suspected to have a connection with international criminals involved in cyber frauds.