Nagpur: In a major breakthrough, Wathoda Police have arrested five accused involved in a large-scale property and banking fraud racket worth nearly ₹3 crore. The accused were nabbed with the help of AI-powered technical surveillance.

The case surfaced after flat owner Neeraj Soitkar, currently residing in Pune, advertised his property in Ambenagar, Kharbi (Wathoda area) for sale on OLX. He had provided the contact number of his Nagpur-based relative, Dhananjay Jain, for inquiries.

Accused Nilesh Manohar Paunikar (31) and Sandeep Chandrawji Nimbhorkar (36) contacted Jain, posed as buyers, and obtained photocopies of the flat’s registry documents. These were later handed over to co-accused Imran Ali Akhtar Ali Hashmi (46), who, along with others, forged a fake property registry.

In this fake document, Ajay Vamanrao Pathrabe (41) was portrayed as the original owner, with his photograph replacing Soitkar’s. Using forged Aadhaar, PAN cards, and a bogus disability certificate, Ajay was presented as Neeraj Soitkar before the registrar’s office. The gang even opened fake bank accounts in his name at Nagpur Nagrik Sahakari Bank, Mahal branch.

Accused Ishan Baliramji Watkar (37) then applied for a housing loan through DCB Bank using the forged papers. Once sanctioned, the funds were routed through multiple accounts before being split among the accused.

AI-Based Tracking Leads to Arrests

Police revealed that the gang had adopted this method at least 11 different locations, defrauding various banks of nearly ₹3 crore. To crack the case, Zone 4 Cyber Unit deployed AI-based tracking and technical surveillance, which helped locate and arrest the culprits.

So far, five FIRs have been registered across Beltarodi, Sadar, Panchpaoli, Sakkardara, and Wathoda Police Stations. Some accused are still absconding in cases at Panchpaoli and Sakkardara.

Those arrested include Nilesh Paunikar (31)– resident of New Diamond Nagar, Panchbuddhe, Sandeep Nimbhorkar (36)– resident of Vinayak Nagar, Mhalginagar, Ishan Watkar (37)– resident of PMAY Flats, Wathoda, Imran Hashmi (46)– resident of Aryanagar, Jaripatka and Ajay Pathrabe (41)– resident of Bharatmata Chowk, Tehsil.

The accused are currently in police custody, and further investigation is underway to identify more individuals involved and determine the total financial damage caused.

Senior officials including CP Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal, Joint CP, Addl. CP Rashmita Rao, and DCP (Zone 4) supervised the operation. ACP Narendra Hivare and teams from Wathoda Police led by Harish Borade and Zone 4 Cyber Unit executed the arrests.

Police sources confirmed that strict action will continue against those using fraudulent means to exploit property sales and banking loopholes.