Mumbai, February 3, 2024: A Mumbai Sessions Court has rejected the bail plea of two accused in a high-profile cyber fraud case involving a scam of Rs. 28.43 lakh. The accused, identified as Z Ali Mohammed and Naushadali A, were arrested in November 2023 for their alleged role in a sophisticated online fraud operation. The case, registered under Cr. No. 97/2023 at the North Region Cyber Police Station, has revealed an intricate network of fraudulent transactions linked to cryptocurrency and fake online job offers.
Background of the Case
According to the prosecution, the complainant was lured into a scam between November 16 and 19, 2023, through a fraudulent job offer. She received messages from an unknown individual, promising lucrative earnings through online reviews and cryptocurrency trading. The victim was instructed to perform tasks such as rating Google Map links and engaging in crypto transactions, ultimately resulting in a loss of Rs. 28,43,000.
Arrests and Investigation
The accused, Z Ali Mohammed and Naushadali A, were arrested on November 23, 2023. During the investigation, authorities discovered that Rs. 6 lakh from the fraudulent transactions had been credited to Z Ali Mohammed’s bank account. Further inquiries revealed that Naushadali had allegedly instructed Z Ali Mohammed to open a bank account and hand over all related documents, including a passbook, chequebook, debit card, and a mobile SIM card.
Additionally, investigators found that Z Ali Mohammed had facilitated the opening of multiple bank accounts for other individuals, which were subsequently used by a suspect named Zuher alias Sayyed Abbas from Alipur, Chikballapur, Bangalore. The scam involved payments of Rs. 10,000 to account holders for allowing their accounts to be misused. The police suspect that both accused were acting on instructions from Zuher and another suspect, Saurabh Hussain, both of whom remain at large.
Court’s Observations
During the bail hearing, the prosecution strongly opposed the release of the accused, arguing that their freedom could jeopardize ongoing investigations and lead to the tampering of evidence. The prosecution emphasized that the accused, being residents of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, posed a flight risk and could potentially evade justice.
After reviewing the case details, Additional Sessions Judge Rajesh A. Sasne concluded that the investigation was still in progress and that crucial recoveries had not yet been made. Given the technical nature of the cyber fraud and the pending arrests of key suspects, the court determined that granting bail would be inappropriate at this stage.
Court’s Decision
Rejecting the bail application, the court ruled that the accused should remain in judicial custody to prevent any interference with the evidence-gathering process. The judge highlighted the complexity of the case and the necessity for detailed technical investigations before considering any release.
Implications and Ongoing Investigation
The case underscores the growing threats posed by cyber fraud operations and the challenges law enforcement agencies face in tracking digital financial crimes. Authorities are continuing their search for the primary conspirators, Zuher alias Sayyed Abbas and Saurabh Hussain, while working to trace the full extent of the scam’s financial trail.
The rejection of bail for the accused marks a significant development in the case, reinforcing the judiciary’s firm stance against cybercrime. With the investigation still underway, the police remain committed to dismantling the network responsible for defrauding unsuspecting victims through online deception.
