A cyber fraud investigation in Pune has led to the arrest of a final-year homeopathy student who allegedly returned to supplying mule bank accounts after his release from prison. The accused, Avinash Baklikar, 28, and his accomplice, Tajas Lokhande, 24, were arrested in connection with a cyber fraud case involving an alleged loss of Rs86 lakh to a 60-year-old retired deputy general manager of an automotive company.
The Pimpri Chinchwad cyber police found that Baklikar and his associates were operating 8 bank accounts as mule accounts to facilitate cybercrimes. Police also arrested Lokhande, a resident of Markal village near Alandi, who had earlier been arrested in an abduction and extortion case registered with Hinjewadi police.
The investigation found that the complainant, a Pimpri resident, lost Rs86 lakh between June and July this year in an online share trading fraud. Police traced Rs5 lakh of the amount to a bank account operated by Lokhande.
“We found that Lokhande was lodged in Yerawada prison in connection with the abduction and extortion case,” an officer from the Pimpri Chinchwad cyber police said.
Assistant police inspector Pravin Swami said API Vaibhav Patil and his team traced and arrested Lokhande. During questioning, Lokhande reportedly disclosed Baklikar’s name.
“Baklikar was lodged in Yerawada prison after being arrested in Nov 2024 in connection with an online share trading fraud of Rs60 lakh. While in prison, he hatched a plan to obtain mule bank accounts for cybercrooks and earn money,” Swami said.
According to police, Lokhande opened a bank account after his release and handed it to Baklikar, who had also been released around 7 months ago.
“Baklikar had formed a network of criminals, mainly those arrested in bodily offence cases. He had saved their cellphone numbers under the name of a ‘university’ in his cellphone,” the officer said.
After his release, Baklikar allegedly contacted the network and opened 8 bank accounts, whose details were provided to handlers in other countries.
“We also found that Baklikar and others had started an office at Markal under different names and were preparing to open current accounts and hand them over to cybercrooks,” Swami said.
Baklikar, originally from Latur, was pursuing a homeopathy degree and was in his final year when he was arrested in 2024. “He spent 16 months in prison and again started committing crimes after his release,” the officer said.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.