Delhi Police have cracked a high-stakes cyber fraud case involving a Mumbai-based executive of INOX Leisure Limited, who was duped of Rs 10.4 crore through a series of WhatsApp messages. The four accused, all residents of Delhi, were arrested from various locations in the city, bringing a closure to a months-long investigation.
The victim, an executive at INOX Leisure Limited, received a series of WhatsApp messages from an unknown number, promising unusually high returns on investment in a cryptocurrency scheme. The messages seemed legitimate, complete with fake bank statements and other documents, and the victim was convinced to transfer large sums of money to various bank accounts.
However, it wasn’t until the victim approached the police that the true extent of the scam became clear. The police investigation revealed that the accused had created a sophisticated phishing website, which mimicked the website of a well-known investment firm. The website was used to lure victims into investing in the fake cryptocurrency scheme.
The accused, identified as Ankit Wadhwa, Aayush Goyal, Prateek Goyal, and Rohan Goyal, are all residents of Delhi and were involved in various other cyber fraud cases in the past. They used the money duped from the INOX executive to fund their lavish lifestyle, buying luxury cars and real estate properties.
Modus Operandi Exposed
According to the police, the accused used a combination of social engineering and phishing to dupe the victim. They created a fake WhatsApp group, which was used to send messages to the victim, complete with fake bank statements and other documents. The messages were so convincing that the victim was convinced to transfer large sums of money to various bank accounts.
The police investigation also revealed that the accused had created a sophisticated phishing website, which mimicked the website of a well-known investment firm. The website was used to lure victims into investing in the fake cryptocurrency scheme.
Arrests and Charges
The four accused were arrested from various locations in Delhi, including a five-star hotel in the city. They have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act, 2000. The police have also seized various electronic devices, including laptops and mobile phones, which were used to commit the crime.
The arrests bring a closure to a months-long investigation, which was led by the Delhi Police’s Cybercrime Cell. The police have praised the victim for coming forward and reporting the crime, which helped to crack the case.
Implications and Next Steps
The Rs 10.4 crore scam is a stark reminder of the dangers of cyber fraud and the importance of being cautious when dealing with unsolicited messages or emails. The police have urged citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
The case also highlights the need for greater regulation and oversight of the cryptocurrency market in India. The government has already taken steps to regulate the market, but more needs to be done to prevent such scams in the future.
The police are now investigating other cases of cyber fraud, which were linked to the accused. The outcome of these cases will be closely watched by the public and the authorities.