Pune: Social media influencer and reel creator Rohan Jadhav has been arrested by Pune cyber police in a ₹10.74-crore digital fraud scam, with investigators alleging that he helped move the proceeds of the fraud through thousands of bank accounts and into cryptocurrency transactions linked to Hong Kong.
The scam was reported in January when an older man was contacted by fraudsters posing as CBI officials. They falsely claimed that he was implicated in a case and threatened him with legal action and a digital arrest unless he paid money. Fearing arrest, the victim transferred ₹10.74 crore to multiple bank accounts before realising he had been cheated and approaching the police.
Pune cyber police had earlier arrested Harshad Subhash Dhanthole, Samarth Suresh Deshmukh and Amar Shivaji Attargi. Investigators traced the money after one of the accused was found withdrawing cash from an ATM. During questioning, police allegedly learned that the withdrawn funds were handed over to Jadhav, prompting a deeper probe into his role.
Police say the proceeds of fraud were routed through as many as 5,436 bank accounts. Jadhav, a resident of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar who also worked in Pune’s celebrity management sector, surrendered before a court after the linked accounts were frozen.
Investigators also found that Jadhav allegedly maintained Telegram contacts in Hong Kong and communicated with them via video calls. Police suspect that money was moved from India abroad through digital-currency transactions, for which Jadhav may have received commissions.
Cases have also been registered against him in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, while the cyber police investigation continues.