Goa Police Cyber Crime Cell Nabs Kerala Resident in Major Investment Fraud Case
The cyber crime cell of Goa police made a significant breakthrough on Tuesday by arresting an individual allegedly involved in a sophisticated cyber fraud case that resulted in a financial loss of Rs 67 lakh. The arrest marks a crucial step in combating digital financial crimes in the region.
Complaint from Caranzalem Resident Triggers Investigation
The First Information Report (FIR) was registered based on a detailed complaint filed by a resident of Caranzalem in Tiswadi, Goa. The victim approached authorities after realizing they had fallen prey to an elaborate investment scam.
SP Cyber Crime Rahul Gupta provided comprehensive details about the modus operandi. "Between October 1 and October 24, 2025, the accused operated through WhatsApp while posing as an employee of a fraudulent company called PIHU Urban Leather," Gupta explained. "The perpetrator systematically induced the complainant to invest in what was marketed as 'DeepGTP Global ETF Investments.'"
Sophisticated Impersonation and Fake Trading Platform
The investigation revealed that the accused employed a multi-layered deception strategy:
- Impersonation of a reputable investment firm to establish credibility
- Use of WhatsApp as the primary communication channel
- Development and promotion of a completely fake trading application
- Promises of exceptionally high returns to lure the victim
This elaborate scheme ultimately resulted in the victim transferring Rs 67 lakh under false pretenses, with no actual investment occurring through the fabricated platform.
Technical Investigation Leads to Kerala Arrest
Following an intensive technical and financial investigation, cyber crime specialists successfully traced the suspect to Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. "A dedicated police team traveled to Kerala and arrested Anuraj R, a resident of Thiruvananthapuram," confirmed SP Gupta.
The financial trail analysis proved particularly revealing. Investigators discovered that the accused received approximately Rs 28 lakh directly into his bank account at Layer 1. This amount was subsequently routed through multiple accounts belonging to associates, complicating the money trail.
Links to Multiple Cyber Fraud Cases Across States
Further forensic analysis uncovered even more extensive criminal activity. The same bank account used in the Goa case was linked to four additional cyber fraud cases reported across three different states:
- Cases registered in Andhra Pradesh
- Incidents reported in Telangana
- Additional complaints from Goa itself
The cumulative fraud amount across these connected cases reached Rs 54.4 lakh, indicating a pattern of systematic financial deception spanning multiple jurisdictions.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
The arrested accused was promptly produced before the appropriate court and has been remanded to police custody for further interrogation. The investigation continues under the direct supervision of PI Deepak Pednekar at the cyber crime police station.
Authorities emphasize that this arrest represents just one component of a broader effort to dismantle digital fraud networks operating across state lines. The technical sophistication of these scams requires equally advanced investigative techniques, which Goa's cyber crime cell has demonstrated in this successful operation.
