Digital trail leads Gujarat Police to Rs 1.56 crore IT fraud mastermind

Ahmedabad, Aug 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The alleged mastermind behind the embezzlement of more than Rs 1.56 crore from a private technology company has been arrested from Surat after evading police for nearly three months by frequently changing locations across multiple states, Ahmedabad Police said on Wednesday.

Nikhil Khalas, 37, was arrested by a team from Ellis Bridge Police Station with assistance from the Local Crime Branch (LCB), Zone-7, following technical surveillance that traced him to the Katargam area of Surat.

Police said Khalas had been absconding since the offence came to light and had allegedly concealed his digital identity while moving through Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh and different districts of Gujarat to avoid arrest.

According to police, Khalas was employed as the Head of Support Bidding Division at Ahmedabad-based IT firm e-Procurement Technologies Limited.

Investigators allege that he misused administrative access by replacing the company's original bidder account details with bank accounts belonging to himself and his associates.

Police said the alleged conspiracy resulted in the embezzlement of Rs 1,56,65,211 from the company.

An FIR was registered at Ellis Bridge Police Station on May 19 under Sections 336(3), 316(4), 318(2), 61(2) and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 43, 65, 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.

Ahmedabad Police said the investigation was carried out under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone-7, Shivam Verma. Police Inspector K.M. Bhuva of Ellis Bridge Police Station led the probe.

Senior officials had directed officers to trace those involved and recover the allegedly embezzled funds after taking note of the seriousness of the case.

Police said PSI H.D. Vaghela of LCB Zone-7 developed technical intelligence indicating that Khalas was staying in Surat.

Acting on the information, a team led by Surveillance PSI P.B. Chaudhary was immediately dispatched to the city, where officers maintained surveillance before apprehending the accused.

Investigators said they had already traced the digital trail of the alleged proceeds of crime and frozen Rs 61,44,356. Police are now seeking the accused's remand to recover the remaining amount.

During the operation, officers seized three mobile phones valued at Rs 8,000 and a laptop worth Rs 20,000, taking the total value of seized property to Rs 28,000.

Source: IANS