Shamli Couple Arrested in Multi-State Cyber Fraud Racket Worth Rs 1.7 Crore
In a significant crackdown on cyber crime, the Shamli cyber crime police and cyber cell unit arrested a couple on Thursday for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated fraud racket. The accused, identified as Himank Prashant Kanv and his wife Surabhi Bhargav, both in their 40s, are suspected of siphoning off approximately Rs 1.7 crore from 41 individuals across multiple states through a deceptive Telegram investment scheme.
Modus Operandi and Bank Account Details
According to police reports, the couple posed as advertising and casting professionals to carry out their illicit activities. They colluded with absconding associates to open a current account at a bank branch in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh. Kanv is a resident of Mumbai, while Bhargav hails from Shamli, highlighting the interstate nature of the operation.
Investigations revealed that this bank account served as a mule account, used to route and launder money cheated from victims. The fraud spanned 11 states, including Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana, indicating a widespread and organized network.
Investigation Findings and Police Statements
During interrogation, Kanv disclosed that his involvement began when he was arranging funds for a film project. He claimed to have been introduced to a short filmmaker who connected him with an individual named Harshit, also known as Ritik, based in Delhi. Police stated that Harshit allegedly facilitated the opening of the bank account and managed its operations to channel the fraud proceeds.
Shamli Superintendent of Police Narendra Pratap Singh provided crucial insights into the case. He confirmed that 41 complaints related to this account were registered on the Union Home Ministry's National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. Out of the total cheated amount of Rs 1.7 crore, around Rs 98.4 lakh had already been withdrawn by the time of the arrests.
The SP elaborated, "Investigations showed that the fraudsters created a Telegram channel and launched a bogus investment portal. They lured people to deposit money, which was then transferred to the Shamli account and subsequently withdrawn." This method highlights the growing trend of using social media platforms for financial scams.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Efforts
An FIR has been registered against the couple under relevant legal provisions. They face charges under BNS sections 318(4) for cheating and 61(2) for criminal conspiracy, along with Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, which pertains to punishment for cheating by personation using computer resources.
Police authorities have emphasized that searches are actively underway for the other absconding accused involved in this racket. The arrest underscores the increasing vigilance of cyber crime units in tackling such fraudulent activities that exploit digital platforms to deceive unsuspecting victims across India.
