Baghpat: Police have busted an interstate cyber fraud racket involved in online share market investment scams and arrested three accused identified as Mohit, Anurag and Vivek Kumar, who are linked to Darjeeling in West Bengal. The gang allegedly cheated 39 people across the country of approximately ₹4.63 crore by promising high returns through fake investment schemes. The three suspects were arrested from the Delhi–Saharanpur national highway.
Social Media Used as Primary Trap
According to investigators, the cybercriminals operated by creating fake investment companies and trapping victims through social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram. Initially, they lured people by promising unusually high profits from share market investments to build trust. Later, victims were sent suspicious links and were asked to download mobile applications that facilitated the fraud.
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Baraut Trader’s Complaint Triggered Investigation
A complaint was registered on February 23 by Mukul, a cloth trader from Baraut area, at the cyber police station. In his complaint, he stated that his mobile number was added to a WhatsApp group where members were claiming huge profits from share market investments. The accused persuaded him to download a mobile application and transferred ₹16.19 lakh into multiple bank accounts under the pretext of investment. Mukul later realized he had been cheated and reported the matter to the police.
During the investigation, the cyber cell began technical analysis and examined the bank accounts linked to the network. Police found that suspicious transactions worth nearly ₹13.91 crore had taken place through accounts associated with the gang, though the exact fraudulent amount is yet to be confirmed.
Role of the Accused
During interrogation, accused Mohit admitted that he operated along with Anurag and Vivek to create fake companies and collect money from people by offering investment opportunities. Anurag reportedly confessed to opening several fraudulent investment firms, while Vivek Kumar was involved in establishing new fake business entities. Investigators suspect that more members may be part of the network and efforts are underway to identify them.
Devices, SIM Cards and Fake Company Seals Seized
Police recovered several suspicious items from the arrested accused, including eight iPhones, 25 mobile phones, 28 SIM cards, 20 banking cards, a motorcycle, a POS machine, printers, QR code sheets, Aadhaar cards, driving licences and stamps of fake companies. Officials said these devices were used for online financial fraud and illegal transaction activities.
Investigation reports indicate that the gang had targeted victims from multiple states including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha and Punjab. Cybercrime experts have advised people to avoid downloading unknown links and to be cautious about investment offers received through social media.
Ongoing Probe and Public Advisory
Police have registered a case against the three accused under relevant sections and sent them to jail after presenting them before the court. Authorities said efforts are continuing to trace other members of the gang and identify the financial trail of the transactions. People have also been urged to remain vigilant to prevent cyber fraud.
