Gurgaon Police Nab Key Member of International iPhone Fraud Ring
Gurgaon police have made a significant arrest in connection with an organized international fraud operation. Officers apprehended a 30-year-old man who allegedly played an active role in a criminal gang that specialized in cheating people with fake offers of iPhones at unbelievable prices.
How the Elaborate Scam Operated
The arrested individual has been identified as Mohammad Galib Raza. Originally from Sitamarhi in Bihar, Raza was living in Paharganj, Delhi, at the time of his arrest. Police investigations reveal he was a functioning member of a well-organized syndicate.
This gang primarily targeted foreign nationals, with a significant number of victims coming from Nepal. Their method was cunningly simple. Gang members would approach potential victims, often in Nepal, presenting themselves as influential figures with special access.
They would promise to arrange genuine iPhones, supposedly imported directly from the United States, at prices far below market value. Once they gained a victim's trust, the con artists would instruct them to travel to India with a large sum of cash to finalize the supposed deal.
The Hotel Room Heist in Sushant Lok
In one detailed complaint, a victim stated he was directed to a hotel room in Gurgaon's Sushant Lok area. The accused, Raza, had booked the room under the pretense of handing over the promised iPhones.
When the unsuspecting victim briefly went to the hotel room's washroom, Raza and his associates seized the opportunity. They fled the scene with the victim's cash amounting to two lakh rupees and his personal mobile phone. To delay discovery, they locked the hotel room door from the outside before making their escape.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
Following the complaint, Gurgaon police registered a First Information Report (FIR). The case was filed under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including section 305, which pertains to theft in sensitive locations like dwelling houses, and section 3(5), concerning acts done by several persons in concert.
During interrogation, Raza confessed to his involvement. He admitted to being part of an international fraud syndicate that systematically lured foreign nationals to India with offers of cheap electronic gadgets only to cheat them. Police recovered fifty thousand rupees, which was identified as Raza's share from the stolen amount.
Furthermore, Raza disclosed his participation in several similar fraudulent activities across both India and Nepal, indicating the gang's wide operational reach.
Official Warning to the Public
Police spokesperson Sandeep Kumar issued a stern warning following the arrest. He strongly advised the public to exercise extreme caution and not fall for offers that seem too good to be true, especially those involving cheap electronic gadgets from unknown sources.
"The public is advised not to fall for such offers of cheap electronic gadgets," Kumar stated, emphasizing the importance of vigilance against such sophisticated scams.
This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to crack down on organized cyber and financial fraud that crosses international borders, targeting vulnerable individuals with promises of luxury goods at impossible prices.
