Delhi Police Breaks Up Online Trading Fraud Ring, Two Held
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, April 20 (NationPress) In a major development, the Delhi Police successfully dismantled a cyber fraud operation on Monday, targeting innocent victims through fraudulent online trading schemes. Authorities have apprehended two suspects in Shahdara and recovered two mobile devices used during the crimes.
As per reports from the Cyber Police Station in Shahdara, the investigation was initiated on March 15 after a local resident, Puneet Grover, lodged a complaint via the NCRB portal.
Grover received a WhatsApp message from an unidentified source that promised enticing trading opportunities. The perpetrators sent a misleading investment link, persuading him to invest Rs 10,000 with the lure of substantial returns. To build trust, they refunded Rs 18,000.
Encouraged by this initial profit, Grover was further enticed to invest Rs 2,00,000, with promises of quadrupling his investment. However, after he transferred the funds through multiple transactions, the scammers blocked his access to the money and severed all communication.
After registering the case, a specialized team was formed by the police. Through technical surveillance, they successfully tracked down and arrested the suspects.
The accused have been identified as Abhishek (23), from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, who was the registered owner of the SIM card associated with the fraudulent bank account, playing a crucial role in the scam. The second suspect, Sumit (22), also from Bijnor, was linked to the bank account into which Rs 50,000—a portion of the fraudulently obtained funds—was transferred.
Police have seized two mobile phones employed in executing the fraud. The investigative team included Inspector Vinit Kumar and Head Constables Dharmendra, Bikas, and Sandeep.
The Delhi Police warn citizens to be vigilant against deceptive online trading platforms and unsolicited investment propositions on social media and messaging applications. They urge the public to conduct thorough checks before making any investments and to promptly report any suspicious activities.
Cyber fraud encompasses criminal acts utilizing the Internet or digital devices to illicitly acquire sensitive information for financial gain, with a notable increase in the use of mule accounts for money laundering. Common tactics include phishing, investment scams, and digital arrest scams.