In a significant crackdown on digital financial crimes, the Tenkasi district cybercrime police have successfully busted an inter-state online gambling and fraud racket. The operation led to the arrest of six individuals, all of whom are engineering graduates hailing from the Sivaganga and Pudukkottai districts of Tamil Nadu. The arrests were made on Sunday, marking a crucial step in combating cyber fraud in the region.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
The case came to light after a resident of Tenkasi filed a complaint, alleging that he was cheated of ₹5.83 lakh. The fraudsters had promoted a deceptive scheme called the "Old Coin Purchase Task" on the messaging platform Telegram. They lured the victim by promising high returns on investments made through a fake website and a Telegram group dedicated to bidding for old coins.
To build trust and deceive the victim, the accused displayed a fake balance in a virtual wallet, making it appear as though the investment was growing. However, once the money was transferred, they abruptly cut off all communication, leaving the victim stranded and defrauded.
Arrests and Seizures
Following the complaint, a special police team was formed to investigate the matter. The team tracked the suspects to their locations in Sivaganga and Pudukkottai, leading to the arrest of the six accused. The arrested individuals have been identified as Saravanan (23), Hareesh (23), Deva (27), and Jahith Ahmed (29) from Sivaganga, along with Sudakaran and Avudaiyappan, both around 30 years old, from Pudukkottai.
During the operation, police seized a substantial amount of evidence, including 10 mobile phones, 33 SIM cards, 44 bank account details, 68 ATM cards, 13 cheque books, two laptops, and a memory card. These items are believed to have been used in carrying out the fraudulent activities.
Background of the Accused
Preliminary investigations have revealed that all six accused are engineering graduates. Interestingly, they had previously worked in Singapore, where they likely gained technical expertise that was later misused for cyber fraud. Their educational background and international experience provided them with the skills necessary to execute sophisticated online scams.
Modus Operandi and Financial Routing
The accused allegedly used multiple digital payment applications to route the stolen money, including platforms such as Donepay, Showpay, Hoyopay, and Havipay. This complex network made it challenging to trace the funds, highlighting the advanced nature of their operations.
Furthermore, the gang procured "mule accounts" by convincing villagers in areas like Sivaganga, Paramakudi, and Kalayarkovil to open bank accounts in exchange for small payments. These accounts were then exploited to divert the proceeds from their crimes, adding another layer of complexity to their fraudulent scheme.
Wider Implications and Police Alerts
Further analysis of bank records has linked the suspects to over 100 cybercrime cases across Tamil Nadu and other states. This discovery underscores the extensive reach of their operations and the significant threat they posed to digital security.
In response, the Tenkasi police have alerted cybercrime units in other states about the gang's suspected involvement in similar cases. This proactive measure aims to prevent further fraud and ensure coordinated efforts in tackling such inter-state cybercrimes.
The bust of this racket serves as a stark reminder of the growing sophistication of online fraud and the importance of vigilance in the digital age. It also highlights the critical role of law enforcement in protecting citizens from such deceptive schemes.
