Delhi Businessman Reports Rs 12 Lakh Cyber Theft from Digital Gold App
A Delhi-based businessman has come forward with a shocking claim of cyber fraud, alleging that hackers breached his digital gold and silver trading application, Bharat Batuk, and illicitly transferred nearly Rs 12 lakh from his virtual wallet. The incident has sparked a police investigation and raised concerns about security in fintech platforms.
Details of the Alleged Cyber Fraud Incident
Sachin Kumar Yadav, a resident of Gulabi Bagh in Delhi, reported that he discovered the unauthorized activity after logging into the mobile application of Bharat Batuk, a Noida-based company offering investment services in digital gold and silver since 2023. Yadav had invested through the app and maintained a virtual account to track his transactions.
On January 13, 2024, Yadav accessed the app and was alarmed to find that all his registered personal details—including his name, address, email ID, phone number, and bank account information—had been altered without his consent. More distressingly, his virtual account balance of approximately Rs 11.9 lakh had been emptied, with the funds transferred to two separate bank accounts via the application.
Accusations and Legal Action Taken
Yadav has directly accused the director of Bharat Batuk, Pralabh Gupta, of involvement in the loss, claiming that the company cheated him. In response, a formal police case has been filed under specific legal provisions:
- BNS Section 318(4): Pertaining to cheating.
- BNS Section 319(2): Related to cheating by personation.
- IT Act Sections 66 and 66D: Addressing computer-related offenses and identity theft.
This case highlights the growing risks associated with digital financial services and underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect users' assets and personal data.
