Patna: The state cyber police on Monday arrested a 40-year-old man, the main accused in a ₹6 crore cyber fraud case, from the India-Nepal border while he was attempting to flee the country. The accused, identified as Govind Bankaya Dantri, was detained at the Raxaul-Birgunj border, a key transit point between India and Nepal, following a Look Out Circular (LOC) and warrant issued by immigration officials in Bihar.
Accused absconding since 2024
Police said Dantri, who had been absconding for over a year, operated under multiple aliases, including Honey Bhaiya, Lucky, and Ashu Paji. He is believed to be the mastermind behind a major investment scam in which a Punjab-based chief engineer, a retired officer, was cheated of ₹6 crore.
Investigators said that Dantri created an application resembling a leading brokerage firm’s platform to lure unsuspecting victims. He then promised high returns on share investments. Once the victim invested, the funds were diverted into multiple bank accounts, and a portion of the money was also converted into cryptocurrency to avoid detection.
Links to larger fraud network
Earlier this year, cyber police had arrested five individuals from different parts of the country in connection with the same case. Approximately ₹46 lakh was recovered from them during the investigation. Dantri’s name surfaced during interrogation, but he remained elusive, reportedly escaping to Thailand before briefly returning to his hometown in Jharkhand in August.
“He is suspected to be the brain behind a wider investment fraud racket. He not only created fake trading apps but also arranged bank accounts and other logistical support for the co-accused,” a senior cyber crime officer said.
Arrest at Indo-Nepal border
On August 25, immigration authorities detained Dantri as he attempted to cross into Nepal through the Raxaul-Birgunj border. Officials suspect he was planning to return to Thailand to continue evading Indian law enforcement.
Following his arrest, he was transported to the city and presented before a court, which remanded him to police custody until August 30 for further interrogation.
Police widen probe
The cyber police are now investigating the possibility of Dantri’s involvement in multiple similar frauds targeting high-net-worth individuals across India. Investigators believe that the accused used sophisticated tactics, including crypto transactions and shell accounts, to operate the scam at a large scale.
Authorities are also tracking digital footprints and financial trails to identify other possible victims and accomplices linked to the racket.
Conclusion
The arrest of Govind Bankaya Dantri marks a significant breakthrough in the ₹6 crore cyber fraud case. With the prime accused now in custody, police expect to uncover more details about the larger investment scam network. The case underscores the growing need for public awareness and vigilance against fraudulent investment platforms promising unrealistic returns.