Goa Police have achieved a significant breakthrough against organised cybercrime by arresting two Maharashtra-based accused in a ₹39.01-lakh fake online investment fraud. The Cyber Crime Police Station traced the financial transactions to Pune and conducted coordinated interstate operations to apprehend the accused. Through systematic financial analysis and technical investigation, the police also secured ₹23.12 lakh of the complainant’s defrauded money, demonstrating their continued efforts to protect citizens from increasingly sophisticated online financial scams.
How the Fraudsters Trapped a Goa Resident
According to Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Shri Jivba Dalvi, the Cyber Crime Police Station registered Crime No. 92/2026 on October 3, 2026, following a complaint from a 60-year-old resident of Porvorim.
The complainant stated that fraudsters contacted him through WhatsApp between August 21 and September 28, 2026. They persuaded him to join a fraudulent investment group called “A83 DI Wealth Growth Centre” and promised attractive returns through online share investments.
Trusting their claims, the complainant transferred ₹39,01,047 into multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
The accused furthered their deception by presenting fictitious profits via a fraudulent investment application. However, when the complainant attempted to withdraw his investment and the supposed profits, the fraudsters demanded additional payments. They eventually stopped responding, leaving him cheated of his hard-earned money.
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Financial Investigation Leads Police to Pune
The Goa Cyber Crime Police launched a detailed investigation and examined banking transactions, account trails and technical evidence to identify the people behind the fraud.
The investigation revealed that ₹10.80 lakh had entered the Kotak Mahindra Bank account of the accused, Ajinkya Ravindra Abhang, while another ₹12 lakh had reached the Bank of India account of the accused, Sagar Prakash Dholvi.
These financial leads helped investigators trace the accused to the Pune region of Maharashtra.
Acting on the evidence, Goa Cyber Crime Police deputed a special team to Maharashtra under the leadership of PSI Anil Polekar. After coordinated field operations, the team arrested Sagar Prakash Dholvi on October 23 at Narayangaon and Ajinkya Ravindra Abhang on October 24 at Alephata, both in Pune district.
Police Secure ₹23.12 Lakh of Defrauded Money
One of the significant outcomes of the investigation is the successful securing of ₹23.12 lakh of the ₹39.01 lakh defrauded from the complainant.
This recovery marks an important step in protecting the victim’s financial interests and demonstrates how timely reporting, financial tracking and coordinated police action can help tackle cyber financial fraud.
Strong Teamwork Drives Successful Operation
The Cyber Crime Police team, comprising PI Chandrakant Gawas, PSI Anil Polekar, HC 5629 Anay Naik, and PC 8844 Bhalchandra Naik, carried out the operation.
SP Cyber Crime Shri Jivba Dalvi and Assistant Superintendent of Police Ms. Shridevi B. V., IPS, supervised the investigation. Deputy Inspector General of Police Shri Ved Prakash Surya, IPS, provided guidance to the team.
The operation highlights the importance of technical expertise, financial intelligence and interstate coordination in identifying and apprehending cyber fraudsters.
How Goans Can Protect Themselves from Online Investment Frauds
Goa Cyber Crime Police have urged citizens to exercise caution when exploring investment opportunities shared on WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and other social media platforms.
Citizens should:
- Avoid investment schemes that promise guaranteed or unusually high returns.
- Stay away from unknown WhatsApp and Telegram investment groups.
- Verify investment advisers and trading platforms through official SEBI and stock exchange channels.
- Never transfer money to unknown personal or third-party bank accounts.
- Avoid trusting trading applications that display unverified or artificial profits.
- Never pay additional charges to withdraw supposed investment earnings.
The police have also urged citizens to report suspected cyber financial fraud immediately through the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or the official portal cybercrime.gov.in.
Strengthening Goa’s Fight Against Cybercrime
The successful operation reinforces Goa Police’s commitment to tackling cyber-enabled financial offences through technology-driven investigations and coordinated action beyond state borders.
By tracing suspicious transactions, identifying the alleged perpetrators and securing a substantial portion of the victim’s money, the Cyber Crime Police have demonstrated the importance of swift and systematic action in protecting Goans from digital financial threats.
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