Two Ex-Servicemen Duped of Over Rs 41 Lakh in Amritsar Cyber Frauds
In a distressing turn of events, two former military personnel from Amritsar have fallen victim to sophisticated online scams, collectively losing more than Rs 41 lakh. The incidents, which came to light after the victims filed complaints, have prompted swift action from the Amritsar Rural Police, with the cyber cell registering two First Information Reports (FIRs) on Saturday following preliminary investigations.
Investment Scheme Scam Costs Victim Rs 37 Lakh
In the first case, a resident of Chak Mishri Khan, identified as Gurwinder Singh, was allegedly defrauded of over Rs 37 lakh by cyber criminals operating under the guise of a lucrative investment scheme. According to the complaint, Singh connected with a woman named Vanita Verma via Facebook approximately three months ago. Verma reportedly enticed him with promises of high returns through online trading and other investment opportunities.
Trusting the claims, Singh proceeded to transfer funds to bank accounts provided by the accused over the past couple of months, accumulating a total investment exceeding Rs 37 lakh. However, when he attempted to withdraw the promised profits, the situation took a sinister turn. The fraudsters demanded an additional Rs 18 lakh as "upgrade charges" and subsequently ceased all communication. Realizing he had been swindled, Singh approached the authorities to lodge a formal complaint, highlighting the predatory nature of such phishing-related frauds.
Digital Arrest Scam Results in Rs 4.5 Lakh Loss
In a separate but equally alarming incident, another ex-serviceman, Jhirmal Singh from Chak Makand Khan in Gharinda, reported being cheated of Rs 4.5 lakh in a digital arrest scam. The fraud began on March 2 when a caller posing as a DSP-rank official named Jarnail Singh contacted him, falsely claiming that his son had been detained for leaking confidential documents.
The imposter later informed the victim that his son had been cleared of wrongdoing after an enquiry but was still required to pay a fine of Rs 6.5 lakh. Frightened by the allegations, Jhirmal Singh transferred approximately Rs 4.5 lakh to a specified account at the Indian Overseas Bank branch in Siliguri, West Bengal. It was only after the transaction that he realized he had been targeted by online fraudsters, leading him to seek police intervention.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigations
The Cyber Crime police station has officially booked unknown individuals under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police officials have confirmed that efforts are currently underway to trace the accused and monitor the financial transactions linked to these frauds. This proactive stance aims to not only bring the perpetrators to justice but also prevent similar incidents in the future.
These cases underscore the growing threat of cybercrime in India, particularly targeting vulnerable groups like ex-servicemen. Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution when engaging in online investments or responding to unsolicited calls, emphasizing the importance of verifying information through official channels. As investigations continue, the Amritsar police remain committed to cracking down on such fraudulent activities and safeguarding citizens from digital exploitation.
