Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch on Monday arrested another alleged member of an inter-state cybercrime gang accused of blackmailing and extorting people through fake astrology and “kinnar guruma” social media profiles.

Investigators said financial transactions worth nearly Rs 60 lakh linked to the accused have been uncovered during the probe covering the last two years.

The latest accused, identified as Vikas Bhargav, a resident of the Gangashahar area of Bikaner in Rajasthan, was arrested from Jaipur and later brought to Ahmedabad for further questioning.

He was produced before a court, which granted the Cyber Crime Branch four days’ remand to continue the investigation.

Earlier arrests and ongoing hunt for third accused

Police had earlier arrested another accused, Rajnish Bhargav, a BA graduate from Bikaner.

Meanwhile, a third accused identified as Ravi Bhargav is currently absconding, and efforts are underway to trace him.

Officials said the arrests form part of “Mission Cyber Rakshika #SecureHerSpace”, a special initiative launched by Ahmedabad City Police to combat cybercrime targeting women.

The campaign focuses on preventing online harassment, cyber exploitation, blackmail, deepfake content, AI-generated morphed images and videos, fake social media identities, and related cyber offences.

Fake astrology and ‘Kinnar Guruma’ profiles used to target victims

According to investigators, the gang allegedly created fake Instagram and Facebook profiles posing as astrologers, relationship counsellors, and “kinnar gurumas” to target emotionally vulnerable individuals dealing with personal or relationship issues.

Police said one of the Instagram accounts used by the gang operated under the name “astrologer_pooja_kinnar_maa”.

Victims were allegedly approached with claims that their problems related to love affairs, marriage disputes, or relationships could be resolved through rituals, pujas, astrology, and “vashikaran” practices.

Victims allegedly manipulated through ritual claims

Investigators alleged that the accused first gained the confidence of victims before asking them to share personal photographs and sensitive information on the pretext of conducting spiritual rituals and consultations.

Police said the gang later edited these photographs and allegedly threatened to circulate them online unless money was paid.

In several cases, officials alleged that victims were persuaded during WhatsApp video calls to remove their clothes. The calls were then secretly screen-recorded and allegedly used as material for blackmail and extortion.

The accused also reportedly used WhatsApp’s “One View” feature to send disappearing images and videos while continuing to threaten victims with viral circulation on social media platforms.

Victim extorted of more than Rs 1.4 Lakh

In the case registered by the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police Station, investigators alleged that the gang extorted Rs 1,43,951 from one victim through multiple bank transactions.

Police said the case has been registered under Sections 75(2), 77, 78(2), 308(2), 318(4), 351(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 66(D) and 67 of the Information Technology Act.

More than 65 victims suspected

During the investigation, officials conducted technical analysis and gathered human intelligence inputs to trace the accused and their digital activities.

Preliminary findings suggest that more than 65 people may have been cheated by the gang.

Investigators also found that nearly 300 mobile numbers were contacted by the accused in the last month alone as part of their alleged online targeting operation.

Instagram ads allegedly used to target young users

Police further alleged that the accused used Instagram’s ad boosting feature to specifically target women and men between the ages of 18 and 35.

Officials said the gang allegedly selected audience interests such as “love problems” and astrology while running paid social media advertisements to attract potential victims.

Multiple social media accounts under investigation

The Cyber Crime Branch said several Instagram profiles allegedly connected to the gang are currently under investigation, including:

  • astrologer_pooja_kinnar_maa
  • astrotalk_with_bheravlal
  • kinnargurumatasushilaji
  • acharya_vikasshastri
  • aghoribalaknath
  • kinnar_maa_santoshdevi
  • dishank_sashtri
  • astro_surya_prakash_shastri

Police are also examining two Facebook accounts identified as “Om Mahakal Jotyshi” and “Kinnar maa santosh devi”.

Cyber crime branch issues public advisory

Issuing a public warning, the Cyber Crime Branch urged people to remain cautious while interacting with social media advertisements linked to astrology, rituals, “vashikaran”, or promises to solve personal problems.

“People should remain cautious of advertisements on social media related to astrology, rituals, vashikaran, or solutions to personal problems. Personal photographs, videos, or information should not be shared with unknown persons,” officials said.

Agency inputs