In a significant breakthrough, the Cyber Crime Wing of the Chennai City Police has apprehended two individuals from Erode, including a key accused, in connection with a sophisticated online fraud that siphoned off a staggering ₹6.58 crore from a retired senior bureaucrat. The arrests are part of a widening investigation that has already seen suspects nabbed from Delhi and Kerala.
Mastermind and Accomplice Caught After Manhunt
The police team made the latest arrests, zeroing in on the accused who had been evading capture. One of those arrested is identified as Madhesh Kumar, aged 41. His arrest on January 9 marked a crucial step in solving the high-value cyber crime case. The victim, Krishnan Kumar Kaushal, 60, who retired in 2024 as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, had approached the police after realizing the massive financial deception.
A Multi-State Fraud Network Unraveled
This case highlights the complex, inter-state nature of modern cyber fraud. Prior to these arrests in Tamil Nadu, the investigative efforts of the Chennai police had led to the capture of five accused from Delhi and three from Kerala. The fraud, which resulted in a loss of over six and a half crore rupees for the retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, underscores the severe threat posed by organized online scam networks targeting individuals regardless of their status or background.
Separate Online Investment Fraud Case Cracked
In a related development showcasing the cyber cell's active crackdown, the police also solved another major online investment fraud case. A 41-year-old man, identified as Senthil Kumar, was arrested for allegedly cheating a Chennai resident of ₹1.23 crore. Investigators successfully traced the flow of the illicit funds directly to the bank account held by the accused, providing concrete evidence for the arrest.
The twin arrests signal a strong warning from the Chennai police against cyber criminals. Authorities are continuing their probe to uncover the entire network involved in these scams and to recover the defrauded money. The public is advised to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited online financial offers and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the cyber crime authorities.
