Gurgaon Police Crack Down on Major WhatsApp Investment Fraud
Gurgaon cybercrime police have made a significant breakthrough in a coordinated investment scam. Officers arrested nine individuals from Kota, Rajasthan, for allegedly cheating investors through deceptive WhatsApp groups.
How the Fraudulent Operation Worked
The syndicate lured victims with promises of exceptionally high returns from stock trading, online games, and casino investments. Dubai-based handlers circulated links to WhatsApp groups and gambling platforms. Meanwhile, their associates in India managed chats, convinced targets to invest, collected funds into bank accounts, and routed the money overseas.
Police revealed the gang rented a flat in Kota for fifteen thousand rupees per month to operate their scheme. A team led by ACP Priyanshu Dewan and Inspector Sandeep Kumar apprehended the nine accused on January 14.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
The case originated from a complaint filed on December 15, 2024, at the Cybercrime West police station. The complainant reported fraud through WhatsApp groups that guaranteed quick and substantial profits.
Those arrested include Lekhraj (25), Manish (21), Anil Bairagi (24), Sonu (26), Deepak (25), and Himanshu from Kota. Sanskar alias Pranshu (24) hails from Rewa in Madhya Pradesh. Gagan Patel (19) is from Indore, MP, and Manish Meena (24) comes from Baran, Rajasthan.
During interrogation, police discovered that two lakh rupees from the defrauded amount went to a bank account named Madhav Associated Company, held by Lekhraj Meena. Lekhraj admitted to selling his bank account to co-accused Manish for ten thousand rupees.
Manish stated he opened the account using a fake rent agreement on instructions from Anil Bairagi. He received forty thousand rupees for this service.
International Links and Money Trail
Bairagi confessed to working with Sanskar in coordination with cyber fraudsters based in Dubai. The syndicate followed a strict profit-sharing model. They sent seventy percent of the defrauded amount to their Dubai-based handlers and kept thirty percent as commission.
Several accused, including Gagan Patel, Himanshu, Deepak, Manish Meena, and Sonu, worked under Bairagi's direction. Their duties involved making calls, operating online games, and handling bank transfers. They received a monthly salary of fifteen thousand rupees plus commissions.
Evidence Seized and Legal Proceedings
Police conducted raids in Kota and seized crucial evidence. The haul included thirteen mobile phones, three laptops, one tablet, and thirty-seven debit cards.
All nine accused were produced before a court on January 15. The court sent them to judicial custody. Investigation into the complete money trail and overseas connections remains ongoing, according to police officials.
This case highlights the sophisticated methods used by cybercriminals to exploit investors through social media platforms. Authorities continue to warn the public about too-good-to-be-true investment offers circulating on messaging apps.
