CID cracks gaming scam, 7 arrested in Rs 2 crore fraud

Ahmedabad: The cyber crime cell of CID crime, Gandhinagar, uncovered a large-scale cyber fraud network that used Instagram to lure users from across India into buying in-game UC coins for the BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) gaming app at discounted rates, said officers on Friday.
The accused created multiple fake Instagram IDs advertising cheap coins. Initially, they transferred a small number of coins to gain trust, then threatened victims by falsely claiming their gaming IDs were reported and would be banned. They convinced the victims to send more money under the pretence of removing these reports, assuring refunds that never came. The accused collected payments via QR codes shared over WhatsApp and failed to deliver the promised coins or return the funds.

The cybercrime unit raided a house in Nidhi Bungalows Society, Palanpur, in Banaskantha on Thursday and arrested seven individuals — Shailesh Chaudhary, 21, resident of Ranesari village in Tharad taluka; Sendha Chaudhary, 22, from Kumbhardi village, Vav taluka; Jitendra Chaudhary, 20, from Sherau village, Tharad; Suresh Chaudhary, 20, from Lodnor village, Tharad; Rahulkumar Chaudhary, 20, from Patiyasra village, Tharad; Narsinh Chaudhary, 19, also from Kumbhardi; and Rahul Chaudhary, 19, from Savarakha village, Tharad.
Technical analysis of seized mobile devices and financial records revealed that the gang operated across 21 states. Complaints linked to their bank accounts and mobile numbers were found on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCCRP), with a total of 39 complaints from 14 states. The accused used 25 bank accounts that saw transactions amounting to Rs 2.11 crore during 2024–25.
Seized materials included 13 mobile phones, 14 bank passbooks, 40 cheque books, 88 debit/credit cards, and Rs 1.5 lakh in cash. An FIR was registered at the State Cyber Crime police station, CID crime, Gandhinagar, under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with cheating by personation using digital means, along with Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act for identity theft and cheating by impersonation using computer resources.