Pune: Policeman, 7 others held for kidnapping man for Bitcoin worth Rs 300 cr

Team Udayavani, Feb 2, 2022, 12:43 PM IST

Image Credit: ANI

Pune police have arrested eight people, including a constable for allegedly abducting a man to extort bitcoin cryptocurrency worth Rs 300 crore.

Police said that the accused constable, identified as Dilip Tukaram Khandare while working with Pune cybercrime cell, had learnt that share trader Vinay Naik has bitcoin cryptocurrency worth Rs 300 crore and hatched a conspiracy to kidnap him.

Khandare along with other history sheeters abducted the victim from a hotel on January 14. An FIR was registered by the victim’s friend following which police began investigations.

As per the police, fearing arrest, the accused released the victim and dropped him at a nearby area. The victim then informed the police that he was abducted for bitcoins.

Apart from Khandare, police arrested Sunil Ram Shinde, Vasant Shyamrao Chavan, Francis Timothy D’Souza, Mayur Mahendra Shirke, Pradip Kashinath Kate, Nico Rajesh Bansal, Shirish Chandrakant Khot in this case.

All accused are in police custody. Further investigation is underway.