Pune: In a significant breakthrough, the Pimpri Chinchwad Cyber Police have apprehended Nikunj Ashwinbhai Makwan, a Gujarat resident, accused of defrauding a Dighi resident of Rs 2.45 crore.

The accused, along with international accomplices, allegedly committed the fraud under the pretext of helping repay a loan.

The incident came to light when the complainant was added to a WhatsApp group offering stock market tips. The group showcased daily profit images, persuading the complainant to invest in the stock market.

The group admin provided multiple bank accounts for depositing the investments. The complainant subsequently invested Rs 2.45 crore but received neither returns nor the principal amount back, prompting a complaint to be filed at the Dighi police station.

Upon investigation, the Cyber Cell traced the bank accounts to Surat, Gujarat. A team dispatched to Surat discovered that the accounts were registered under "Shree Radhe Enterprises" and owned by Makwan.

With local police assistance, Makwan was arrested. During interrogation, he confessed to committing the fraud to repay business loans, with assistance from both international and out-of-state accomplices. The accused’s bank account has 56 nationwide complaints and transactions amounting to Rs 4.29 crore.

The operation was led by Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Chaube, Additional Police Commissioner Vasant Pardeshi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Doiphode, and Assistant Police Commissioner (Crime) Vishal Hire. The investigative team included Assistant Police Inspector Pravin Swami, Police Sub-Inspectors Sagar Poman and Ravindra Panhale, and Police Constables Deepak Bhosale, Atul Lokhande, Nitesh Bichewar, Saurabh Ghate, and Shrikant Kabule.