The Ambala police have arrested a resident of Punjab for allegedly defrauding a local businessman of Rs 77,510 under the pretext of securing a bank loan. The accused, identified as Rahil from Amritsar, was taken into custody following a technical investigation.
Victim lured by fake loan approval
The complainant, a wholesale medicine dealer, reported that on May 4, he searched for a personal loan online. Shortly after, his wife received a call from a woman claiming to be a representative of Capital One Finance, Noida. The caller informed her that a personal loan of Rs 4 lakh had been approved and requested copies of Aadhaar card, PAN card, and bank statement, which were shared via WhatsApp.
Later, the fraudster claimed the KYC was complete and the loan amount had been increased to Rs 5 lakh. She then demanded Rs 1,850 as file charges, which the victim transferred. Subsequently, she asked for Rs 4,770 for insurance, and the victim received a policy document. The fraudster continued to extract money under various pretexts, including commission, GST, and other charges, totaling Rs 77,510. However, the promised loan was never disbursed.
Complaint and arrest
When the fraudster stopped answering calls, the victim realized he had been cheated and filed a complaint with the Ambala police. A case was registered under Sections 318 and 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against unidentified persons.
Cyber Crime Police Station in-charge Sandeep Kumar stated that based on technical inputs and investigation, Rahil was arrested from Punjab. “The accused is currently on police remand and we will obtain information about his other accomplices and their locations to recover the money. The bank records of the fraudster are being checked,” he added.
Modus operandi and legal action
The fraudsters used a classic phishing technique, posing as a legitimate finance company to gain the victim’s trust. They demanded small amounts as fees, which escalated over time. The police are now examining bank records to trace the money trail and identify other possible victims.
Authorities urge the public to verify loan offers directly with banks and avoid sharing personal documents or making payments to unknown callers. The case highlights the growing menace of online loan scams, where fraudsters exploit individuals seeking quick financial assistance.
