Hisar: In a major crackdown on an interstate cyber fraud racket, Hisar police have arrested six members of a gang accused of cheating people through fake stock market investment schemes operated via WhatsApp groups and fraudulent trading applications. Electronic devices allegedly used in the scam have also been seized during the operation, marking a significant breakthrough in the investigation.
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According to police officials, the gang operated across multiple states and systematically targeted unsuspecting individuals by promising unusually high returns on stock market investments. The accused allegedly used social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp. They used to add victims into investment groups where they were gradually persuaded to download fake trading applications designed to display manipulated profit figures.
Victim Lost ₹29 Lakh After Joining WhatsApp Investment Group
The case came to light after a complaint was lodged by Barwala resident Tarun Singla, who reported a financial loss of ₹29 lakh. In his complaint, he stated that he was added to a WhatsApp group by unknown individuals posing as financial advisors. Within the group, members were encouraged to invest through a specially designed mobile application that simulated real-time trading profits.
Initially, the application showed fake gains, which created an illusion of legitimacy and encouraged greater investment. Motivated by these apparent returns, Singla and others invested larger sums. However, when he attempted to withdraw his money, he was repeatedly denied access and instead asked to deposit additional funds under various excuses, further deepening the alleged fraud.
Digital Footprints Led Police to Wider Network
Police investigations revealed that the accused operated in a coordinated and structured manner. After registering the complaint, cyber cell teams tracked digital footprints and identified one of the key accused as Shahrukh. His arrest led to further breakthroughs, resulting in the detention of five additional members of the gang.
The other arrested accused have been identified as Inderjeet Singh from Ludhiana, Adnaan from Hyderabad, and Manish and Harender from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan. Officials confirmed that the network functioned with clearly defined roles, including recruitment of victims, technical setup of fake applications, financial handling, and management of multiple bank accounts.
Phones, ATM Cards and Bank Documents Seized
During subsequent raids and searches, police recovered substantial electronic and financial evidence. The seized items include 18 mobile phones, 33 passbooks and chequebooks, 22 ATM cards, and one laptop. Authorities believe these devices were actively used to operate multiple fraudulent accounts and facilitate cross-state financial transactions.
Preliminary findings suggest that the gang relied on advanced cyber techniques to create illusionary trading dashboards. Victims were shown fabricated profit graphs and account growth charts, which encouraged repeated investments. Once large amounts were deposited, communication would either be abruptly cut off or redirected to new demands for further payments under false pretexts.
Police Probe Mule Accounts and Wider Links
Police officials stated that the gang may have defrauded several other victims beyond the complainant, and efforts are underway to identify additional affected individuals. Digital forensic teams are currently analyzing seized devices to trace bank accounts, transaction patterns, and communication records linked to the scam network.
Investigators are also probing possible links between this gang and other cyber fraud modules operating across different parts of India. The scale of recovered financial documents and digital evidence suggests the use of layered mule accounts to route and obscure illegally obtained funds.
The arrested individuals remain under interrogation, and further arrests are expected as the investigation progresses. Police are also coordinating with cybercrime units in other states to map the broader structure of the alleged network.
