Panchkula Police have arrested two individuals, including an IT expert, for allegedly duping a resident of Rs 9.68 crore in a cybercrime case with international connections.
The mastermind behind the scam, Jatin Jindal, was identified as a B.Sc. IT graduate from Patiala. Police also apprehended his accomplice, Mushtaq Mohammad, a resident of Ghanaur in the same district.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Himadri Kaushik, the victim, Lalit Singla from Panchkula’s Sector 7, fell prey to a meticulously crafted stock investment fraud. Singla was lured into transferring a staggering Rs 9.68 crore to the scammers’ accounts.
The fraudsters reportedly used a fake website to convince Singla that his investments had doubled. However, when Singla attempted to withdraw his money, the criminals refused to return it.
Following Singla’s complaint, a case was registered at the Sector 12 cybercrime police station.
Investigations revealed a potential international angle to the operation. “They used to cheat people and transfer money into bank accounts abroad,” DCP Kaushik explained. “In return, they used to get a commission, from which they paid salaries to their employees.”
The police have identified bank accounts linked to the suspects in foreign countries. “We are investigating the matter thoroughly and will seek the help of a Central Government-level agency,” added Kaushik.
This case serves as a reminder of both the increased complexity of cybercrime and people’s susceptibility to online fraud. It is a sobering warning to proceed with caution when interacting with online investment possibilities, particularly ones that offer large returns at low risk.
The fact that an IT specialist was the mastermind in this case further emphasizes how crucial cybersecurity knowledge in the IT sector could lead people towards wrongdoings. It is believed that working with a central agency would allow police to break up the global network supporting this cybercrime and retrieve the money that was taken from the victims.
