Surat: A Varachha jeweller approached Cybercrime police after funds credited to his account for a gold jewellery purchase were traced back to online fraud cases registered in Karnataka and Telangana, leading to part of his bank balance being frozen.According to the FIR, Pratap Chovadiya, 50, who runs Arihant Jewellers near Varachha Main Road, was approached by Divyesh Meghnathi on Aug 18. Meghnathi expressed interest in buying a gold ring and picked an 18-carat ornament weighing 5.520g, valued at Rs 74,000. He paid Rs 5,000 as a booking amount.On Aug 21, Meghnathi returned to collect the ring along with three unidentified persons. The payment was made via UPI by one of the accompanying men at Meghnathi’s arrangement.The transaction came under scrutiny after police probing cyberfraud cases in Karnataka and Telangana traced fraud proceeds to the jeweller’s bank account. Investigating agencies from both states informed the jeweller that funds in his account had been frozen in connection with cybercrime cases.The FIR states that Rs 13,234 in the jeweller’s account was frozen after action linked to a cybercrime complaint registered with Bengaluru City South CEN Police Station in Karnataka. Another Rs 17,506 was frozen in connection with a case registered at Kachiguda police station in Hyderabad, Telangana.Chovadiya told police that he accepted the payments in the normal course of business and was unaware that the money was linked to cyberfraud.Police said Meghnathi and his associates allegedly used proceeds of cybercrime to make payments at the jewellery shop. The jeweller submitted transaction records and correspondence received from banks and investigating agencies.An FIR was registered for cheating, common intention and related provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 66-D of the Information Technology Act. Police have launched a probe to identify and arrest the accused.
