Gurgaon Cyber Crime Police Arrest Trio in Elaborate USDT Investment Scam
In a significant crackdown on digital fraud, the Gurgaon cyber crime police have arrested three individuals, including two bank employees, for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated scam that duped a victim through a counterfeit online portal and mobile application promoting USDT trading. The case underscores growing concerns over cryptocurrency-related crimes in urban centers.
Victim Lured via WhatsApp with Promises of High Returns
The investigation was initiated after the victim filed a formal complaint on January 15, detailing how he was approached through WhatsApp messages that guaranteed lucrative profits from cryptocurrency investments. Law enforcement officials at the cyber crime police station (south) swiftly registered a case and launched a tracking operation to apprehend the suspects involved in this deceptive scheme.
Arrests Made in Coordinated Police Action
Pintoo Kumar, aged 30 and a resident of Hathras district in Uttar Pradesh, was the first to be taken into custody on February 5. Following this, two additional arrests were made on February 7: Rohit, 30, and Umang Gupta, 26. Notably, Rohit, an MBA graduate, served as a branch sales manager, while Umang worked as a sales executive at an Axis Bank branch located in Hathras, raising alarms about internal misconduct within financial institutions.
Fraudulent Transfers and Bank Account Misuse Uncovered
Police investigations revealed that approximately Rs 50 lakh from the cheated funds were funneled into a firm named Dinesh Enterprises. The bank account of this entity, registered under Dinesh Kumar, was allegedly sold for Rs 30,000 to Pintoo and an associate, and later resold for Rs 8 lakh to unidentified individuals connected to the scam. This highlights the illicit trade in financial documents that facilitates such crimes.
Key Findings from the Police Probe:- The accused are suspected of opening bank accounts using forged documents to route the proceeds of the fraud, exploiting vulnerabilities in the banking system.
- Rohit and Umang allegedly misused their positions at Axis Bank to assist in opening these fraudulent accounts, receiving payments of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively, which were routed through Pintoo.
- Authorities suspect that more fake accounts may have been established using similar methods, indicating a potentially wider network of fraud.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigations
To date, five individuals have been arrested in connection with this case. After a four-day police remand, Pintoo was produced before a court, while Rohit and Umang were scheduled to be presented on February 8. The arrests mark a critical step in combating cyber fraud, but officials emphasize that the investigation is ongoing to uncover any additional accomplices or fraudulent activities linked to this scam.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for the public to exercise caution when engaging in online investment opportunities, particularly in the volatile realm of cryptocurrencies.
