Panchkula Resident Falls Victim to Elaborate Digital Arrest Scam
In a disturbing case that highlights the growing sophistication of cyber criminals, a resident of Panchkula was duped of Rs 5.9 lakh by fraudsters posing as Hyderabad police officers in what authorities are calling a digital arrest scam. The incident, which occurred in early October 2024, demonstrates how scammers are using psychological pressure and technology to exploit innocent citizens.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
The ordeal began on October 3, 2024, when Sajjan Kumar, a Panchkula resident, received a call from an individual claiming to be a Hyderabad police officer. The caller made alarming allegations that a credit card registered under Kumar's name was being misused and had been linked to a suspect detained for alleged connections with a terrorist organization.
The fraudster further claimed that the card had been recovered from the accused and that Kumar had been officially booked under money laundering charges. To make the threat more credible, the scammer pressured Kumar to travel immediately to Hyderabad. When the victim expressed reluctance to make the journey, the situation escalated dramatically.
The scammers connected with Kumar via a video call, where multiple individuals posed as police officials and threatened him with immediate arrest if he didn't comply with their demands. Terrified by the prospect of legal action and the serious nature of the accusations, Kumar ultimately transferred a total of Rs 5.9 lakh to accounts provided by the fraudsters.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Following the financial loss, Kumar filed an official complaint on October 9, 2024. The case was taken up by the cybercrime team under ACP (Crime) Arvind Kamboj. After thorough investigation, the police made a breakthrough on November 7, 2024, arresting Sonu, a resident of Saini Mohalla in Kharkhoda, Sonipat district.
The accused was produced in court and remanded in two days of police custody for further interrogation to uncover additional details about the scam network and identify possible accomplices.
Connected Stock Market Investment Scam
In a related development highlighting the prevalence of cyber fraud in the region, police also revealed details of a separate Rs 33-lakh stock market investment scam. In this case, Mohammad Suleman, another Panchkula resident, filed a complaint on June 10, 2024, stating he had been duped of Rs 33.56 lakh through a fake online investment platform.
The investigation revealed that the victim had been added to a WhatsApp group in March where members lured him with promises of high profits from stock market investments. The fraudsters claimed to operate from a Mumbai office and conducted online trading sessions through a website link.
When Suleman visited the given address in Mumbai, he discovered no such office existed. Police determined that the gang had created a fake website and WhatsApp group specifically to deceive people into investing money in a bogus online trading scheme.
This case was registered under multiple sections of the Bhartatiya Nyaya Sanhita including BNS sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), and 61(2). On October 7, 2024, police arrested two individuals: Mukund Kumar, 46, from Ahmedabad, and Patel Maithali Naveenbhai, 25, from Surat. Both were produced before the court and remanded in one day of police custody for further questioning.
Protecting Yourself from Digital Fraud
These incidents serve as crucial reminders for citizens to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated cyber crimes. Authorities emphasize that genuine police officials would never demand money transfers over phone calls or threaten immediate arrest without following proper legal procedures.
Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a law enforcement officer by contacting the local police station directly. Be particularly cautious of unsolicited calls involving financial matters or legal threats, and never share personal or banking information with unknown callers.
