Gym Trainer Arrested in Surat Online Investment Scam Case

A gym trainer from Varanasi has been arrested by the Surat City Police Cyber Crime Branch for allegedly helping launder money from an online fraud that cost a man Rs 5.88 lakh. The 32-year-old suspect is accused of facilitating the movement of stolen funds for a commission.

The fraud began when the victim was contacted through a dating app and sent a link to a fake website. Posing as an e-commerce investment opportunity, the site promised high returns to those who signed up.

After the victim created an account, he was persuaded to transfer a total of Rs 5,88,909 into different bank accounts. When the promised returns did not materialise and the money could not be retrieved, he approached the police.

The case has been filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2008 as amended in 2008.

Police said the suspect, Abdullah alias Sonu Majid, was traced to Varanasi through technical investigation. A team led by Police Inspector A.M. Mori made the arrest on the orders of senior officers.

Investigators found that Rs 1,77,590 of the amount had been sent to an HDFC Bank account linked to Imran Yusuf Khilchi, a co-accused who was arrested earlier.

The investigation further indicated that a suspect in Dubai had arranged bank accounts through Majid, into which money was deposited via cash deposit machines. Majid, according to police, earned a commission for this work.

Majid is accused of withdrawing money through ATMs and cheques, keeping Rs 12,590 for himself. He then used Rs 1.65 lakh to buy USDT, a dollar-linked cryptocurrency, and passed it on as directed by the Dubai-based accused.

Khilchi, 46, is a businessman from Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Surat police have warned residents against allowing anyone to misuse their bank accounts, whether for commission or any other enticement.