Jitendra Pandey, who played a pivotal role in ₹16,000 Crores Cyber-crime, held captive in Varanasi!

The Thane Special Investigation Team, under the leadership of additional CP Punjabrao Ugale, has apprehended Jitendra Pandey, a central figure in a ₹16,000-crore cyber fraud operation, signaling a pivotal breakthrough. Pandey, who had been evading authorities across multiple cities, was finally captured in Varanasi. Law enforcement’s current focus is on tracing businessmen involved in facilitating fund transfers to Pandey through various channels, aiming to evade tax obligations. This arrest marks the twelfth in the ongoing probe. Previous detainees were released on bail after the chargesheet filing.

The fraudulent activities, originating in April 2023 and unearthed during a July inquiry into a ₹25 crore cyber fraud case in Thane’s Wagle Estate, revealed Pandey’s involvement. Investigations disclosed that several bank accounts used by Pandey and his associates belonged to financially vulnerable individuals. Pandey, a 39-year-old commerce graduate with a banking background, orchestrated the payment gateway scam before absconding in July, employing tactics to avoid detection. His expertise in IT and hawala transactions facilitated fund transfers for businesses seeking tax evasion, typically charging 20 to 30 percent commissions. The Thane police chargesheet details the roles of various accomplices, with international cooperation sought to resolve the case, which involved substantial sums of money.