Kanpur: In a major breakthrough, the Rawatpur police along with the cyber team (West Zone) arrested two cyber fraudsters, Sumit Kashyap and Naveen Srivastava, for allegedly adding unsuspecting individuals to WhatsApp groups and defrauding them under the pretext of stock market trading and IPO investments. The arrests were made following complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
Investigation Details
According to police officials, the investigation revealed that the accused provided bank accounts that were utilized in cyber fraud operations. A thorough analysis of five bank accounts identified so far uncovered a total of 12 complaints on the NCRP portal, involving suspicious transactions amounting to approximately Rs 14 crore. The accused had opened these accounts in the names of various individuals and subsequently handed them over to a person based in Delhi. The money obtained through cyber fraud was then transferred into these accounts.
Money Trail Elimination
To obscure the money trail, the fraudsters attempted to withdraw the funds through cheques and ATMs. Preliminary investigation also indicated that the accounts used were linked to cases involving online gaming apps, trading, and IPO fraud. Sumit Kashyap had previously been jailed in Gurugram, Haryana, for a similar cyber fraud case, and a total of four cases were registered against him. Both accused resided in the Rawatpur police station area and had been involved in such cyber crimes for an extended period.
Forensic Examination and Legal Proceedings
The forensic examination of the recovered mobile phones and other digital evidence is currently underway. Police expect this examination to reveal information about other bank accounts and facts related to the network. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the arrested accused, and they are being produced before the court.
This case highlights the growing menace of cyber fraud through social media platforms, where criminals exploit the trust of unsuspecting victims by promising lucrative returns on investments. The police urge citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities on the NCRP portal.
