Itanagar, Jun 22: Naharlagun Police have arrested the prime accused in a Rs 34.33 crore alleged investment fraud case involving forged government documents, impersonation and false claims of high-level political and bureaucratic connections, police said on Monday.
The accused, identified as 41-year-old Rishiraj Borkotoky of Guwahati in Assam, was arrested on June 20, while police also seized five mobile phones and a luxury vehicle worth around Rs 1.5 crore during the operation.
Naharlagun Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr Nyelam Nega said the case was registered at Banderdewa Police Station following a complaint lodged by Rajesh Agarwal.
A case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, was registered on June 5 and entrusted to sub-inspector Koj Tada for investigation, the SP told a press conference on Monday.
The complaint alleged that the accused persuaded the investor to put money into a proposed extra neutral alcohol (ENA) manufacturing project in Assam.
The SP said the accused projected himself as a financially influential businessman with strong connections in government and political circles.
“To gain the complainant’s trust, he allegedly produced forged documents purportedly issued by the revenue department under the Union Finance ministry and the office of the Cabinet Secretary,” Dr Nega said.
He added that the accused allegedly operated a fake WhatsApp account displaying the profile picture of the Chief Minister of Assam and shared photographs suggesting close proximity to prominent political personalities.
“Police are also verifying the authenticity of an alleged voice call made from the account,” the official added.
Believing these claims to be genuine, the complainant allegedly transferred a total of over Rs 34,33 crore over a period beginning in 2022.
Following technical and conventional intelligence inputs, the accused was apprehended in Guwahati and later produced before the JMFC court at Yupia here, which remanded him to 10 days of police custody for further interrogation.
Dr Nega said scrutiny of bank transactions, KYC records, electronic communications, screenshots and suspected forged documents has so far corroborated significant portions of the complaint.
“The investigation has also indicated that the alleged proceeds of the crime were routed through accounts linked to associates, family members and business entities, whose roles are now under examination,” the SP said.
The seized electronic devices have been sent for forensic examination, while verification of the purported government documents is underway, Dr Nega said, adding that investigators are also examining whether the alleged voice attributed to the Assam chief minister was generated using artificial intelligence or created through voice impersonation techniques.
He said efforts are continuing to trace the complete money trail, identify all beneficiaries and co-conspirators, recover the proceeds of the crime and establish the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.
Appealing to the public to remain vigilant, Dr Nega advised citizens to verify all claims of government approvals or official patronage through concerned authorities and avoid relying solely on social media or digital communications.
He also urged people to immediately report suspicious investment proposals or fraudulent activities to the nearest police station.
