In a shocking incident that highlights the perils of sophisticated online fraud, a retired Inspector General of Punjab Police, Amar Singh Chahal, attempted to take his own life after allegedly being cheated of over Rs 8 crore. The incident occurred in Patiala on Monday, sending ripples through the law enforcement community.
The Tragic Incident and Immediate Aftermath
Amar Singh Chahal, a former IG, shot himself with a licensed revolver at his residence in Patiala's 26 Acres Colony on Monday. He sustained a chest wound but was rushed to a private hospital where he underwent successful surgery. Police officials confirmed on Tuesday that he is now stable and out of danger. The attempt came after Chahal fell victim to an elaborate online investment scam that caused him a staggering financial loss.
Details of the Elaborate Rs 8.1 Crore Scam
According to a 12-page handwritten note recovered from Chahal's house and addressed to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, the retired officer was ensnared by fraudsters posing as wealth managers. The scammers operated through WhatsApp and Telegram groups named "F-777 DBS Wealth Equity Research Group." They lured Chahal with promises of high returns from stock trading, using fake profit dashboards to build credibility.
The modus operandi involved showing initial fake gains to win trust, after which they pressured the victim into making larger investments. Funds were routed through multiple bank accounts. The fraudsters then demanded additional taxes and fees, effectively blocking Chahal's ability to withdraw any money, trapping him further.
Chahal invested approximately Rs 1 crore of his own money through three banks starting in October. Distressingly, he also borrowed around Rs 7 crore from friends and family, plunging himself into immense debt. Police sources revealed that Chahal had never formally lodged a complaint about the fraud before the suicide attempt. The FIR was eventually registered based on a complaint filed by his wife.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Probe
Senior Superintendent of Police Varun Sharma stated that a case has been registered against unidentified persons. The charges include relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to impersonation, cheating, and forgery, along with sections of the Information Technology Act. The FIR was filed after recording statements from Chahal's wife, son, and daughter-in-law.
Police have frozen around 25 bank accounts mentioned in the handwritten note and are actively tracing the money trail. Digital evidence from the WhatsApp and Telegram groups is being examined forensically. In his note, Chahal demanded a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), apologised to his family, and sought protection for them.
Sources indicated that Chahal had met a recently retired Deputy Inspector General from Patiala a few days before the incident and appeared to be in a depressed state. This tragic case underscores the growing threat of highly organized cybercrime that can target anyone, regardless of their background or experience.
