Surat, Gujarat | A 34-year-old Mumbai resident has been arrested for allegedly impersonating a government cyber-forensics and cryptocurrency official to defraud a Surat-based petrochemical businessman of approximately ₹1.24 crore through a fraudulent investment scheme.
The accused, identified as Priyank alias Prem Vyas, allegedly used a fake identity card bearing the words “Cyber Forensic Department”, along with the national emblem and motto, to establish credibility and convince the businessman that he was a government official.
According to police, the fraud involved promises of substantial returns through forex trading and investment opportunities.
How the Alleged Fraud Was Carried Out
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the complainant, Hiren Chevli, a petrochemical businessman, was introduced to the proposed investment scheme during a loan-related meeting with chartered accountant Rohan Kelawala in November 2025.
Kelawala allegedly informed Chevli that he assisted investors in forex trading and worked with an individual who could generate high returns on investments. He subsequently introduced Chevli to Vyas during a meeting at a hotel in Mumbai.
During the meeting, Vyas allegedly presented an identity card bearing the designation “Cyber Forensic Department”, accompanied by the national emblem and motto, claiming to be a government official.
Investigators suspect that the purported official identification was used to gain the victim's confidence and make the investment proposal appear legitimate.
₹1.29 Crore Collected Through Investment Promises
The FIR states that Vyas initially demanded ₹18 lakh as a renewal fee for a trading “terminal”. He allegedly promised to return ₹30 lakh within 60 days and offered the complainant a 20% partnership in the proposed business.
Trusting these assurances, Chevli reportedly paid ₹18 lakh in cash in January 2026.
The accused allegedly continued collecting money on various pretexts connected with the proposed investment and related procedures. The total amount paid by the complainant reportedly reached ₹1.29 crore.
Of this amount, ₹4.70 lakh was returned, leaving approximately ₹1.24 crore unpaid.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
Following the complaint and a preliminary inquiry, police registered a case and arrested Vyas on charges related to cheating and misrepresentation.
Investigators are now examining the financial transactions, tracing the alleged money trail and verifying the circumstances surrounding the use of the purported cyber-forensics identity card.
Police are also investigating whether other individuals were involved in the alleged fraud, including the role of the intermediaries who facilitated the introduction between the businessman and the accused.
Forensic and Cybersecurity Perspective
The case highlights how the misuse of forensic science terminology and official-looking credentials can become tools for financial deception.
The alleged use of the designation “Cyber Forensic Department” raises concerns about the unauthorised use of forensic and government-related identities to establish false credibility.
Cyber forensics is a specialised discipline involving the identification, preservation, acquisition, examination and presentation of digital evidence. However, claiming an association with a forensic department does not establish professional qualifications or government authority.
The incident also underlines the importance of verifying official credentials, independently checking investment proposals and examining financial arrangements before transferring substantial amounts of money.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to establish the complete network behind the alleged fraud and determine whether additional victims or accomplices are involved.