In a significant breakthrough, the Patiala cyber crime police have successfully frozen an additional Rs 50 lakh linked to the massive Rs 8.1 crore online fraud that targeted former inspector general of police Amar Singh Chahal. This development brings the total amount frozen by the authorities to Rs 3.5 crore, offering a glimmer of hope for recovery in a case that had pushed the victim to the brink of suicide.
Steady Progress in Tracing the Fraudulent Trail
The latest freezing of funds comes on the heels of a previous action where Rs 3 crore was secured last week. Police officials have expressed confidence that the frozen amount will eventually be recovered and returned to the victim, former IG Amar Singh Chahal, once all legal formalities and verification procedures are completed. The investigation is being closely monitored at the highest levels of the district police.
Patiala range deputy inspector general (DIG) Kuldip Singh Chahal confirmed that the money was blocked in identified accounts. He stated that the cyber cell is meticulously examining the complex financial trail. "The amount is likely to be recovered in due course and returned to the victim after due process," the DIG assured. Police sources added that accounts pinpointed through transaction records and documentary evidence were targeted, while other financial links remain under active scrutiny.
A Vast Network of Mule Accounts Uncovered
The scale of the fraud network is staggering. Investigators have so far recovered approximately 600 SIM cards and identified more than 500 bank accounts suspected of being used in a layered operation to route and launder the illicit funds. These accounts, believed to be 'mule accounts,' were used to transfer money across multiple states, complicating the investigation.
Earlier in the probe, Patiala police had confirmed the freezing of at least 25 bank accounts. These included accounts used to receive funds through WhatsApp-based investment groups, which were part of the initial phase of the investigation. The former IG had also provided crucial leads by detailing several bank accounts in a note he left behind.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
The case, registered as FIR No. 55/25 at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Patiala, has already seen the arrest of two accused from Maharashtra. These individuals are slated to be brought to Punjab on production warrants for further interrogation as the police work to unravel the entire syndicate behind the scam.
The relentless efforts of the Patiala cyber crime unit highlight the increasing sophistication of financial frauds in the region and the determined response from law enforcement to track and recover stolen assets, even in the most complex of cases.
