Punjab Police Cracks Down on Interstate Cyber Fraud Operation
In a significant breakthrough, the Punjab Police's state cyber crime division has successfully dismantled an interstate cyber fraud racket that was operating by impersonating women on social media platforms to extort money from victims. The announcement was made by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday, highlighting the meticulous efforts of law enforcement in combating digital crimes.
Arrests and Seizures in Mohali
The arrested individuals have been identified as three brothers: Abhishek Bhargav, Aakash alias Aman, and Lucky, all natives of Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, who were residing in Sector 70, Mohali. During the operation, police teams recovered substantial evidence, including Rs 3.49 lakh in cash, $500, 29 mobile phones, a laptop, a tablet, a dongle, and 38 empty mobile phone boxes from their possession. This seizure underscores the scale and sophistication of their fraudulent activities.
Modus Operandi of the Fraudsters
DGP Gaurav Yadav detailed the methods employed by the accused, explaining that they created fake profiles on popular social media platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp to contact unsuspecting victims while posing as women. To enhance their deception, the fraudsters used voice-changing software to impersonate women and build trust with their targets, particularly focusing on female victims. Once a connection was established, they resorted to extortion by threatening to circulate AI-generated objectionable videos of the victims on social media, leveraging fear and embarrassment to coerce payments.
Investigation and Case Origins
Special DGP (Cyber Crime) V Neeraja provided insights into the operation, revealing that the case came to light after the father of a victim lodged a formal complaint. The victim, who was residing in Canada, was allegedly cheated of Rs 3.10 lakh between 2023 and 2025. The investigation, led by SHO State Cyber Crime Police Station Amandeep Singh under the supervision of SP Jaspinder Singh, uncovered that the alleged kingpin, Aakash Bhargav, devised this modus operandi nearly two years ago.
Investigators found that the accused not only used fake social media accounts to target victims but also posed as religious gurus or astrologers to gain their trust. After establishing contact, they would threaten victims with fabricated or AI-generated objectionable videos to extort money. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that the gang had collected nearly Rs 40 lakh through such fraudulent activities over the past two years, indicating a widespread and lucrative operation.
Ongoing Investigations and Advisory
Police officials have stated that further investigations are underway to identify other possible accomplices and victims who may have been targeted by this racket. In light of this case, Special DGP V Neeraja has issued a crucial advisory for social media users, especially women, urging caution when interacting with individuals posing as soothsayers, astrologers, or advisers online.
Key recommendations include:
- Avoid sharing personal details, photographs, or videos on social media platforms, as such information could be misused.
- If threatened with the misuse of personal information or images, do not panic and immediately contact the cyber helpline number 1930 or register a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in).
- Exercise caution against transferring money to unknown persons contacted through social media.
- In cases where money has already been transferred, victims should report the transaction on the helpline promptly so authorities can attempt to block or freeze the suspected bank account.
This crackdown serves as a stark reminder of the evolving threats in the digital landscape and the importance of vigilance and prompt reporting to combat cyber crimes effectively.
