Ahmedabad: Eight policemen have been booked and two are arrested by Criminal investigation department (CID) of Gujarat, for extorting bitcoins worth Rs 120 million from a Surat-based builder. Director CID, Ashish Bhatia, announced, “Two policemen — constables Babu Der and Vijay Vadher — were arrested on Sunday.” While all other accused are on the run.
The businessman Shailesh Bhatt has complained against police inspector Anant Patel for allegedly abducting him at a farmhouse and forcing him to transfer 200 bitcoins from his mobile on February 23. The FIR also listed a person who acted as a mediator between Bhatt and the policemen.
The CID has constituted a special investigation team to investigate the case. Bhatia said that CID has not so far found any proof of cryptocurrency transfer. However, evidence of illegal confinement and threats could be gathered.
In the recent past, several cases involving bitcoin extortions have been surfaced, but this might be the first time that police was found involved. The founder of GainBitcoin Amit Bhardwaj earlier this month was arrested in Bangkok for duping thousands of businessmen. He has been accused of fraud worth $300 million.