NDTV quoted news agency as saying that a Maharashtra Police constable in Pune hatched a plan to kidnap a businessman, with the aim of extorting $40 million (Rs 300 crore) worth of bitcoin from the businessman. Apart from this, a cash ransom of Rs 8 lakh was also demanded. The accused constable, who has worked with cybercrime, has been described as the mastermind of this kidnapping, and along with it 7 other accused have also been arrested now. These eight accused had together abducted businessman Vinay from a hotel in Pune on January 14.
After this, on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner (DCP) of Pune Police Zone-2, Anand Bhoite along with Constable Dilip Tukaram Khandare, Sunil Ram Shinde, Vasant Shyam Chavan, Mayur Mahendra Shirke, Francis Timotee D’Souza, Sanjay alias Nikki Rajesh Bansal, Pradeep Kashinath Kate and Informed about the arrest of Shirish Chandrakant Khot.
Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissioner Krishna Prakash said that the mastermind of the incident, Dilip Tukaram Khandare, also tried to sell bitcoins after Vinay Naik was kidnapped. After Naik’s disappearance, a friend of his had lodged a case of kidnapping, after which the accused released Vinay for fear of being caught due to prompt action of the police.
The commissioner further said that the mastermind accused used to work in the Pimpri Chinchwad commissioner’s office. He has done several technology related courses, which include Mobile Forensics, Basic Hardware and Network Technology, Advanced Cyber Crime Investigation etc. To carry out the kidnapping, he had also taken a sudden leave a few days ago, giving personal reasons.
The crypto market was banned in 2018 due to an increase in fraudulent transactions, but two years later the Supreme Court lifted the ban.<!–
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