A resident of Jharkhand has fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing approximately 3 crore rupees (2.98 crore) in a metal trading scam. The fraudulent scheme operated through the Telegram app, promising high returns on investment. The victim filed a complaint with the cybercrime branch of the Jharkhand CID on July 28th, prompting an investigation. As a result, the CID arrested Dinesh Kumar, a cyber criminal residing in Jamshedpur, and seized various electronic devices.
The cybercriminals employed an intricate method to carry out the fraud. They created a link on the Global India site on Telegram, which, when clicked, opened an online account on the Chicago Board of Options Exchange. The scam involved enticing victims with the prospect of high returns from metal trading, leading to the illicit transfer of approximately 3 crore rupees (2.98 crore) from various accounts. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal revealed that the accused’s bank account had received 1.15 crore rupees in a single day and was linked to two prior investment fraud cases totaling 3.29 crore rupees in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
The investigation is ongoing to identify all involved individuals, bank accounts, and digital assets associated with this inter-state cybercrime network. The Jharkhand CID has cautioned the public against clicking on investment-related links promising high returns on social media. It also advises against registering on unfamiliar portals or apps and transferring money to UPI IDs or bank accounts shared through social media. Citizens are urged to utilize only authorized government applications. Victims of cyber fraud are advised to contact the cyber helpline at 1930 or report the incident at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
Before this case, a similar incident occurred in Ranchi where a cybercriminal impersonated an officer from a central investigation agency and threatened a retired individual with arrest related to a 300 crore fake scam and money laundering case. The victim was defrauded of approximately 50 lakh rupees. Ravi Hasmukhlal Godhaniya, a 27-year-old cyber criminal from Junagadh, Gujarat, was arrested in connection with this case.