Crypto Investment Fraud: Gang Targeting Disabled Person Busted

DEHRADUN: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Cybercrime Unit in Uttarakhand apprehended a gang engaged in a fraudulent scheme that targeted a disabled individual.

The gang, operating under the pretence of online cryptocurrency trading, managed to defraud the victim of an astonishing sum of Rs 13 lakhs. This case came to light when the victim, Vikram Kumar Padala, who is hearing impaired, filed a complaint with the authorities.

MISUSE OF POPULAR BRAND

According to the complaint, the criminals masqueraded as managers from Flipkart, a popular e-commerce platform, and lured the victim into liking and subscribing to various YouTube channels.

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The victim in his complaint said scammers enticed him with promises of substantial profits through online cryptocurrency trading. To carry out their deceitful plan, the fraudsters added the victim to a Telegram group and provided links to different websites, urging them to invest and complete certain tasks. Falling into their trap, the victim unwittingly became a target of a criminal conspiracy.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the victim had been swindled out of a total of Rs 13 lakh. Further inquiries exposed the fact that the gang had been operating similar fraudulent activities across multiple states in India, leaving several victims with substantial financial losses.

CRACKDOWN IN MULTIPLE CITIES

The tireless efforts of the police team paid off when they managed to obtain crucial information regarding the mobile numbers used by the culprits and traced the bank accounts where the illicit funds had been transferred. The investigation disclosed that the money had been routed to Delhi and Jaipur, prompting the team to dispatch officers to Delhi. As a result, one member of the gang was apprehended from Sangam Vihar in North Delhi.

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Subsequent investigation led to the discovery of a fraudulent company named IQ Service & Solution Pvt. Ltd, which had facilitated transactions totaling approximately Rs 5 crores. The arrested individual, identified as 37-year-old Mohammad Iqbal, a resident of Sangam Vihar, was found in possession of seven debit and credit cards, a mobile phone with two SIM cards, and various identification documents, including an Aadhaar card, a voter ID card, a driving license, and a Delhi Civil Defense Corp identity card.

Arrested Fraudster: Mohammad Iqbal, 37, Found with Debit/Credit Cards, Mobile Phone, and Multiple IDs in Sangam Vihar, Delhi

POLICE ADVISORY

Ayush Agarwal, the Senior Superintendent of Police, STF, Uttarakhand, has issued a cautionary statement to the public, urging them to exercise vigilance and caution against falling victim to such fraudulent schemes. Agarwal emphasized that cybercrime has taken on new forms with the rise of YouTube “like” and “subscribe” scams.

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He advised individuals to be cautious of lucrative opportunities or fake websites and to exercise caution when dealing with individuals who promise to double their money or facilitate online bill payments. Agarwal stressed the importance of verifying the legitimacy of websites with local banks and relevant companies and discouraged the use of Google to search for customer care numbers. Individuals who suspect any fraudulent activity are encouraged to contact the nearest police station or Cyber Crime Police Station. For financial cybercrimes, immediate contact should be made to the helpline number 1930.

The investigation is currently ongoing, with authorities actively pursuing the remaining members of the gang. Law enforcement agencies are determined to bring all those involved to justice and prevent further innocent individuals from falling prey to these sophisticated cybercrimes.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Special Task Force (STF) of the Cybercrime Unit in Uttarakhand successfully busted a gang involved in a fraudulent scheme targeting a disabled individual.
• The gang posed as Flipkart’s gift-giving managers and enticed the victim, who is hearing impaired, into liking and subscribing to YouTube channels, promising significant profits through cryptocurrency trading.
• The victim fell into the trap and lost a staggering amount of 13 lakhs to the fraudsters.
• The investigation revealed that the gang had been carrying out similar fraudulent activities in multiple states across India, causing victims to lose lakhs of rupees.
• The police team obtained crucial information about the mobile numbers used by the culprits and traced the bank accounts where the money had been transferred.
• Funds were routed to Delhi and Jaipur, leading to the arrest of one gang member from Sangam Vihar in North Delhi.
• A fraudulent company called IQ Service & Solution Pvt. Ltd was uncovered, facilitating transactions totaling approximately Rs 5 crores.

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