In a significant crackdown on cyber fraud, the Chandigarh Police have apprehended two individuals for allegedly swindling a city resident of a staggering Rs 60 lakh under the false pretence of a lucrative cancer medicine business. The accused were arrested in a raid conducted in the Union Territory of Daman and Diu.
The Elaborate Online Trap
The case originated from a complaint filed by Sunil Kumar, a resident of Sector 32-C in Chandigarh. According to the police report, Kumar was initially approached on September 25, 2024, through a Facebook profile operating under the name Morris Pauline. The profile offered him a business opportunity to purchase a cancer drug known as Avastin Powder.
The fraudsters promised a supply of 300 kilograms per month from a purported US-based firm, Actelion Laboratories. The communication then shifted to WhatsApp and email, where Kumar was directed to contact Indian suppliers, including entities named Sharma Enterprises and Motion Cargo International.
How the Money Was Extorted
Following the instructions, Kumar contacted Sharma Enterprises and made an initial payment of Rs 13 lakh for 50 kilograms of the non-existent medicine. The payment was transferred into two bank accounts linked to Sharma Enterprises and K S Enterprises. Shortly after receiving the first payment, the suppliers demanded an additional Rs 10 lakh for delivery charges.
This pattern of demands continued, and under the guise of this sophisticated business arrangement, the accused managed to dupe Kumar of a total sum exceeding Rs 60 lakh.
Police Investigation and Arrests
During the investigation, the police meticulously collected KYC details of the alleged beneficiaries from the concerned banks. The financial trail revealed that a substantial amount of Rs 26.5 lakh had been deposited into the account of one accused, Sanskar Jain (22) from Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh, which he subsequently withdrew. Another sum of Rs 92,550 was traced to the account of the second accused, Rabendra Kumar Patel (28), a resident of Dabhel in Gujarat.
Acting on this concrete evidence, a team from the Chandigarh Police conducted a raid in Daman and Diu on December 22, 2025, and successfully arrested both Jain and Patel. Following their arrest, the duo was presented before a local court, which granted the police three days of custody for further interrogation.
This case highlights the increasing sophistication of online investment and pharmaceutical scams, where fraudsters exploit the desperation and trust of individuals seeking business opportunities or medical solutions. The Chandigarh Police's swift action serves as a warning to such cyber criminals and a reminder for the public to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited online business proposals.
