Illegal Telephone Exchange Case: ATS Reveals Bitcoin Transactions, More Suspects Identified

Pune, 7th September 2024: The state prosecution informed a judicial magistrate’s court on Friday that suspects arrested in connection with an illegal telephone exchange, busted by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on August 24 and 25 in Kondhwa, were converting the proceeds into Bitcoin.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Bodhini Shashikala told the court that cyber experts were being consulted by the ATS to understand the suspects’ method of using messaging app numbers to generate one-time passwords (OTPs) for facilitating internet-based international calls. “The suspects were charging a fee for each OTP generated,” Shashikala explained.

The ATS, Pune, unit has identified three additional suspects, in addition to the three men already arrested. One of the new suspects is currently being searched for, while the other two are in the custody of ATS, Thane, for their involvement in a similar crime. Shashikala based this information on the interrogation of Naushad Ahmed Siddiqui, also known as Kumar (32), the main accused in the case.

The ATS, Pune, has filed a request with the Thane court to transfer custody of the two suspects from the Thane unit to continue the investigation into the Kondhwa case. In addition, the ATS seized 77 more SIM cards from Naushad, according to the prosecutor.

The illegal telephone exchange was first uncovered when Naushad was arrested and transferred to Mumbai, where a case was registered at Kala Chowki police station. Following this, his custody was transferred to the ATS, Thane, for a similar investigation. On September 3, Naushad was taken into ATS, Pune, custody for the Kondhwa case. Shortly after, two more individuals—Mohammed Ujjair Shaukat Ali Ansari (alias Sonu, 29) and Piyush Subhashrao Gajbhiye (29)—were arrested on September 4.

The three accused were presented before Judicial Magistrate First Class Sudhir Wankhade on Friday, as their initial remand had expired. The court extended their remand until September 10.

Shashikala also informed the court that funds generated from the illegal telephone operation were being funneled into two bank accounts managed by Gajbhiye. These funds were then transferred to one of the suspects in the custody of ATS, Thane, and another individual still at large.