Patna/Mumbai: Law enforcement authorities have dismantled an interstate cyber fraud network operating from Bihar’s capital Patna that allegedly cheated victims out of crores of rupees by posing as gas service providers. Four suspects, including the alleged mastermind, were arrested during a police raid conducted at a rented apartment in the city.

Investigators say the group specifically targeted residents of Mumbai while running its operations from Patna for several months, exploiting online communication platforms and social engineering techniques to deceive victims.

Cyber Fraud Operation Run from Patna Apartment

According to police officials, the accused had been running the fraudulent operation for nearly five to six months from a flat in the New Jaganpura locality under the jurisdiction of Ramkrishna Nagar police station.

Based on a tip-off, a cybercrime investigation team raided the apartment and arrested four individuals identified as Shridhar, Gultan Yadav, Arun Mandal, and Pankaj Kumar.

Authorities believe Shridhar, a resident of Pune in Maharashtra, orchestrated the scheme. The other suspects — Gultan Yadav, Arun Mandal, and Pankaj Kumar — are reportedly from Madhupur in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district.

Police suspect the group deliberately operated from Patna while focusing on victims in other states, particularly Mumbai, to avoid drawing local attention to their activities.

How the Gas Connection Scam Worked

Preliminary investigations reveal that the gang impersonated representatives of gas distribution agencies. Victims were approached with offers to help with new gas connections, transfers of existing connections, or disconnection services.

In several cases, victims were informed that their gas service would soon be suspended unless they made an immediate payment. The urgency created by the fraudsters reportedly pressured many individuals into transferring money without verifying the legitimacy of the request.

Authorities believe dozens of people may have fallen victim to the scam, with the total amount defrauded estimated to be in the crores.

Telegram Used to Find and Contact Victims

Investigators revealed that the gang used messaging platforms, particularly Telegram, to locate and communicate with potential victims. The suspects reportedly operated multiple channels and groups advertising assistance related to gas services and customer support.

Once a victim responded to these posts, the accused would initiate conversations and convince them to send payments through bank transfers or digital payment platforms.

Police say the scammers relied heavily on urgency and impersonation tactics to build trust and quickly obtain money before victims realized the fraud.

18 Mobile Phones Seized as Evidence

During the raid, police recovered 18 mobile phones from the suspects. Authorities believe the devices may contain critical digital evidence, including communication logs, transaction details, and data related to other potential victims.

Forensic examination of the devices is currently underway to trace the financial trail, identify bank accounts used in the fraud, and determine whether additional accomplices were involved.

Investigators are also exploring possible links between this group and other cybercrime networks operating across different states.

Cybersecurity Experts Warn About Social Engineering Scams

Cybersecurity experts caution that such fraud schemes often rely on social engineering, where criminals manipulate victims by creating urgency or fear related to essential services.

Former IPS officer and cybercrime expert Prof. Triveni Singh explained that scammers frequently send alarming messages regarding services such as gas, electricity, banking, or KYC updates.

He advised citizens to verify any payment requests directly through official customer support channels or company websites before transferring money online.

Experts say confirming information through legitimate sources remains one of the most effective ways to prevent cyber fraud.

In a significant development in one of Singapore’s most prominent corporate fraud cases, the High Court has reduced the prison sentence of oil trader OK Lim from 17 years and six months to 13 years and six months. However, the court upheld his conviction in full.

The 84-year-old founder of Hin Leong Trading had appealed both his conviction and sentence. While the High Court rejected his challenge to the guilty verdict, it ruled that the original sentence was “manifestly excessive,” citing his advanced age and the low likelihood of reoffending.

Conviction Upheld in Major Trade Financing Fraud

Lim was convicted of cheating HSBC and abetting forgery in connection with fraudulent oil transactions supported by falsified documents. These documents were used to secure substantial loan disbursements from the bank.

Prosecutors said the fraudulent transactions caused losses of at least US$111.7 million — approximately ₹930 crore at current exchange rates. Although Lim faced more than 100 charges, the trial focused on three principal counts.

The High Court described the case as one of the most serious trade financing frauds in Singapore’s corporate history.

Court Cites Sentencing Imbalance

In its ruling, the High Court concluded that the lower court had placed disproportionate weight on certain aggravating factors, including the broader potential damage to Singapore’s oil trading industry. Judges noted there was insufficient concrete evidence to demonstrate widespread sectoral impact.

The court also observed that partial restitution made in the case was not adequately considered during sentencing.

However, the judges declined to grant special leniency, stating that the circumstances did not meet the threshold for exceptional judicial mercy.

Corporate Collapse and Bankruptcy

Hin Leong Trading collapsed in April 2020, sending shockwaves through Singapore’s commodities trading sector. The downfall became one of the country’s most high-profile financial scandals.

In related civil proceedings, liquidators secured a US$3.5 billion judgment — roughly ₹29,000 crore — against Lim and his family. In December 2024, Lim and his two children were declared bankrupt.

Next Legal Steps

Lim, who appeared in court in a wheelchair and followed proceedings through an interpreter, remains out on bail set at S$2 million. The court has granted him four weeks to review the written judgment and determine whether to pursue further legal action.

The revised sentence marks another chapter in the prolonged legal battle surrounding the former oil magnate, whose dramatic fall from prominence has become emblematic of one of Singapore’s largest corporate fraud cases.

Gujarat’s bureaucracy is under intense scrutiny as 2015-batch IAS officer Dr. Rajendra Kumar Patel faces corruption and money-laundering allegations. Following a raid by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Patel was removed from his post as Surendranagar District Collector, and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed an FIR against him.

ED Raids Shake the Administration

ED officials recently conducted searches at the Surendranagar Collectorate and associated locations. Following the operation:

• Dr. Patel was removed from his post and has not received a new assignment.
• Sensitive files are being examined by both central and state agencies.
• The FIR filed by the ACB is based on a complaint submitted by the ED after preliminary investigations.

Four Named in the ACB FIR

The FIR, registered on December 23, names:

1. Dr. Rajendra Kumar Patel – Former Collector, Surendranagar
2. Jayrajsinh Jhala – Personal Assistant
3. Mayursinh Gohil – Clerk
4. Chandrasinh Mori – Revenue Officer

No arrests have been made yet for the others, while investigators are scrutinizing documents, digital records, and financial trails.

₹67.50 Lakh Cash Seized

During the ED operation, ₹67.50 lakh in cash was recovered from Revenue Officer Chandrasinh Mori’s residence. The ED alleges that the cash was collected as bribes for:

• Fast-tracking land-use applications
• Ensuring favorable decisions on certain files

Mori was arrested and produced before a PMLA court, which remanded him to ED custody until January 1. Investigators are tracing the money flow and identifying possible beneficiaries.

Bureaucracy on Alert

Sources indicate that additional names, possibly from the 2015 IAS batch, may come under investigation. Several officers from the same batch hold key administrative positions across Gujarat, increasing anxiety within official circles.

Who is Dr. Rajendra Kumar Patel?

• Home State: Gujarat (Ahmedabad district)
• Date of Birth: 23 August 1985
• Civil Services: Joined IAS, 2015 batch (appointed Collector, Surendranagar on 4 February 2025)
• Educational Background: BDS (Dentistry), MA in Public Policy

Patel’s brief tenure as Collector has now become the focal point of a high-profile corruption probe.

What Lies Ahead

Investigators are currently examining:

• The origin of the alleged bribe money and its handlers
• Whether a larger network of officials was involved
• The potential impact of bribery on administrative decisions

The Gujarat government has indicated that strict action will follow if charges are substantiated, signaling zero tolerance toward corruption in administrative offices.