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Kingpin of India-Targeted Cyber Fraud Deported From Thailand and Arrested

International police cooperation won his deportation to India, a move police say will help expose mule-account networks and crypto channels used to move stolen funds.

Overview

  • Pimpri-Chinchwad police took custody of Saurabh alias Ganesh Balasaheb Kale after he was brought to Mumbai on Thursday following his detention by Interpol in Bangkok.
  • Police allege Kale ran a transnational fraud racket from Dubai and Thailand that used online task offers, fake share-market schemes and 'digital arrest' scams to steal crores of rupees from Indian victims.
  • Investigators say Kale procured and managed so-called mule bank accounts by collecting ATM cards, cheque books and internet-banking credentials to receive and route illicit payments.
  • Law-enforcement steps that led to his detention included a Central Bureau of Investigation request, an Interpol Red Corner Notice and a domestic Lookout Circular, which enabled Thai authorities to detain and transfer him.
  • Kale is remanded to police custody until June 16 as multi-jurisdiction probes in Maharashtra and Telangana continue, and police said the case will focus on tracing mule networks, crypto conversions and the victims hit by the scams.