Delhi: Did a Stepson Really Steal Rs 26 Lakh from His Father's Bank Account?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Trust can be exploited, even within families.
- Cybercrime is a growing threat that affects individuals of all ages.
- Digital literacy is essential for safeguarding financial assets.
- Investigative efforts are crucial in uncovering financial crimes.
- Family dynamics can play a significant role in motivation for crime.
New Delhi, Oct 26 (NationPress) In an astonishing incident of familial treachery, the Cyber Cell of Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has apprehended a 25-year-old individual for allegedly embezzling Rs 26.32 lakh from his father's bank account over a span of four months, as reported by officials on Sunday.
The suspect, identified as Shivam Sharma, a BA graduate and former BPO worker, was taken into custody on October 25 following a thorough investigation spearheaded by Inspector Subhash Chandra and his team under the guidance of ACP Anil Sharma.
According to the police statement, they have seized 100 grams of gold and frozen Rs 3 lakh in his HDFC Bank account.
The victim, a 68-year-old retired parking operator at Azadpur Mandi, had minimal digital knowledge and had placed his trust in his stepson for handling his banking activities. Exploiting this trust, Shivam allegedly orchestrated a well-planned digital scam.
On March 23, while his father was attending the funeral of his first wife, Shivam reportedly pilfered the SIM card associated with the bank account.
He subsequently created a bogus UPI ID, acquired gold coins through Amazon and Flipkart, and hid the items in a wall-mounted almirah.
Moreover, he channeled approximately Rs 6 lakh in cash through cyber cafe operators, offering commissions of up to 10 percent.
In an effort to eliminate digital evidence, he later destroyed the SIM card and his mobile phone.
In a disturbing twist, Shivam even assisted his father in filing a cybercrime report, feigning ignorance of the fraud.
Investigators indicated that the motive was rooted in profound family resentment. Shivam, the offspring of his father’s second marriage, allegedly felt marginalized after his father transferred the family’s parking business to his elder son from the first marriage.
During interrogation, Shivam initially refuted the allegations but later admitted to them, resulting in the recovery of the stolen gold and funds.
This case underscores the increasing overlap between familial disputes and cyber-enabled financial crimes, according to police. Further investigations are ongoing.