Inter-state cyber fraud racket busted, 2 held from MP

Sonipat: The Sonipat police on Tuesday claimed to have busted an inter-state cybercrime racket that allegedly duped a man of Rs 18.59 lakh by luring him with promises of free stock market training and high returns through fake trading platforms.Two accused persons have been arrested from Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, in connection with the case, the police added.The operation was carried out under the supervision of Sonipat police commissioner Mamta Singh and DCP (west and cyber) Kushal Pal Singh.The police said the accused used WhatsApp messages, fake investment apps and forged trading accounts to trap victims into transferring large sums of money under the guise of stock market investments.According to investigators, the complainant, Niladri Shekhar, a resident of Kundli in Sonipat, approached the cyber police on April 6, alleging that he was cheated through an elaborate online investment scam.The victim told the police that he first received a WhatsApp message in January this year offering "free share market and trading lessons" along with assurances of 15%-20% daily profits.He was subsequently contacted by a woman who persuaded him to download an application and open what was presented as an "HNW trading account" linked to a reputed securities platform.The police said the fraudsters gradually gained the victim's confidence by showcasing fake profits and offering lucrative IPO deals and so-called "institutional stocks" with promises of multi-fold returns. The complainant eventually transferred Rs 18.59 lakh into multiple accounts controlled by the accused.Investigations later revealed that the entire operation was being run through forged documents, fake websites and fabricated trading interfaces designed to appear legitimate.A team led by inspector Basant Kumar of cyber police station, Sonipat, tracked the digital and banking trail before conducting raids in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, leading to the arrest of Vivek, son of Kaushal, and Dheeraj, son of Omprakash.The police said they managed to freeze or place a lien on Rs 8.81 lakh of the defrauded amount. Two mobile phones and Rs 3,300 in cash were also recovered from the accused.After the police remand concluded, authorities produced the accused before a court, which sent them to judicial custody. Investigators are now probing whether the racket targeted victims in other states through similar investment scams.The police urged citizens to remain cautious of unsolicited investment offers on WhatsApp and social media platforms, especially schemes promising unusually high returns within a short period.MSID:: 131040443 413 |