Pune Youth Lures Men For Crypto Deal, Then Robs Them Of Cash, iPhone And Scooter
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Viman Nagar, 17th May 2026: The Vimantal Police have arrested a 19-year-old youth for allegedly assaulting and robbing two individuals after luring them under the pretext of a cryptocurrency transaction. Valuables, cash, and a two-wheeler worth a total of Rs 1,65,940 were successfully recovered from the accused.
According to the police, the incident took place on May 11, 2026. The complainant and his cousin were called by the accused and his three accomplices for a purported cryptocurrency deal near Zircon Society in Viman Nagar, Pune. Upon arrival, the gang forcibly assaulted the victims and robbed them of Rs 1,40,000 in cash, two mobile phones, and a Honda Activa scooter.
Following the incident, an FIR (C.R. No. 248/2026) was registered at the Vimantal Police Station under Sections 309(6) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Following the registration of the crime, Senior Police Inspector Govind Jadhav directed Police Sub-Inspector Nitin Rathod and his team to launch an investigation. Acting on intelligence and employing skilled investigative techniques, the police apprehended the accused, identified as Pranay Amar Buwa (19), a resident of Dhanori, Vishrantwadi, Pune.
During interrogation, Buwa confessed to the crime. The police successfully recovered stolen assets worth Rs 1,65,940 from his possession. The recovered items include Rs 25,940 in cash, an Apple mobile phone valued at Rs 90,000, and the stolen Activa two-wheeler worth Rs 50,000.
This successful operation was executed under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police (East Region) Manoj Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 07) Somay Munde, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Lonikand Division, Addl. Charge Kharadi Division) Nutan Pawar.
The investigative actions were carried out under the instructions of Senior Police Inspector Govind Jadhav and Police Inspector (Crime) Mahesh Bolke. The investigation team that made the arrest and recovery consisted of Police Sub-Inspector Nitin Rathod and police personnel Lalu Karhe, Rupesh Pisal, Ankush Jogdande, Rahul Joshi, Yogesh Thopte, Sachin Manjare, Ambadas Chavan, Hariprasad Punde, Prashant Sutar, and Sagar Kasar.
