Kanpur Fraud Case: Notorious Conman Ravindranath Soni Planned Bank Launch, Promoted by Chris Gayle

Kanpur, UP: Ravindranath Soni, a notorious conman currently lodged in Kanpur Jail, is facing increasing scrutiny as authorities uncover his latest fraudulent scheme. Soni, accused of cheating nearly 1,000 people across India, UAE, the United States, and other countries, was reportedly planning to launch a bank under the name “Bluechip”. Astonishingly, the venture’s promotion involved international cricketer Chris Gayle, following the earlier association of actor Sonu Sood and wrestler The Great Khali. The bank was reportedly registered in Canada, and investors were lured through Bluechip Secured and Bluechip Token initiatives.

Fraud Uncovered by Police
Kanpur Kotwali Police arrested Soni from Malviya Nagar in connection with a fraud worth ₹42.29 lakh, which involved duping investors in Dubai, Sharjah, Malaysia, and other countries. Following this, the police have received continuous complaints, leading to 15 FIRs being registered, all under active investigation. The Police Commissioner formed an SIT (Special Investigation Team) to probe the case.

Key Associates Identified
According to ADCP Crime Anjali Vishwakarma, Soni’s associates—Suraj Jumani, Gurmeet Kaur, Divya, and others—have also been implicated. Investigations revealed that multiple companies under the “Bluechip” brand were set up to attract investors while concealing actual misuse of funds.

Bluechip Secured and Bluechip Token

• Bluechip Secured: Investors were promised returns through this platform, but the company allegedly pocketed profits while continuing to pay employee salaries.
• Bluechip Token: Marketed as a real estate venture, promising plots and land benefits. Many investors were drawn to this scheme.

Multiple Shell Companies and Digital Currency
The SIT found that Soni operated multiple companies under one umbrella. In 2023–24, he launched a digital currency claiming it would facilitate repayments with interest. When investors protested in 2024, the operators went underground. The exact roles of some associates, including Suraj Jumani, are still under investigation.

International Persona
During inquiries in Dehradun, neighbors described Soni as portraying himself as an international businessman. He reportedly maintained a low profile, rarely leaving his residence.

This case highlights the sophisticated nature of modern investment frauds and the growing challenge for authorities to track cross-border financial scams.