In a significant crackdown on digital fraud, Bathinda police have successfully busted an inter-state gang of cheats that allegedly operated a sophisticated scam using a rigged gaming application to siphon funds from unsuspecting victims. The operation led to the arrest of two key individuals, marking a crucial step in combating cyber-enabled financial crimes in the region.
Police Action Based on Tip-Off
Acting on a credible tip-off, a dedicated police team swiftly stormed a local hotel in Bathinda where the suspects were found operating their illicit activities. The arrested individuals have been identified as Jasbir Singh, a resident of Khairthal in Rajasthan, and Yahiya Khan, hailing from Jhirka in Haryana. During the raid, authorities recovered substantial evidence, including 13 mobile phones and two card-swiping machines that were instrumental in facilitating fraudulent transactions.
Modus Operandi of the Scam
According to police investigations, the gang meticulously executed their scam through a mobile gaming platform. The suspects employed a deceptive strategy by initially allowing players to win small sums of money, thereby building a false sense of security and trust among the victims. Once the targets were sufficiently lured into wagering larger amounts, the app's interface was manipulated to ensure a total loss, effectively usurping the victims' hard-earned savings without their knowledge.
Use of Forged Documents and Shell Accounts
To further conceal their illicit trail and evade detection, the gang utilised forged documents to open a network of shell bank accounts. These accounts were specifically used for laundering the illicit gains, making it challenging for authorities to trace the flow of stolen funds. This sophisticated layering technique highlights the gang's intent to operate under the radar while exploiting vulnerable individuals.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigations
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) City Narinder Singh confirmed that a case has been registered under relevant sections of cheating and forgery of valuable securities. "We have taken two main players into custody, but our teams are actively working to track down several other entities involved in this racket," stated Singh. He further revealed that associates linked to Gurgaon-based firms are among those being pursued, indicating the inter-state and potentially wider network of this criminal operation.
The police are now intensifying their efforts to identify and apprehend all accomplices, while also advising the public to exercise caution when engaging with online gaming platforms and to report any suspicious activities immediately.
