In a stark revelation of how bank accounts are being turned into tools for large-scale cybercrime, a young man was arrested from Sambhal for allegedly allowing fraudsters to use his account to park and move stolen funds amounting to crores of rupees. The case, which spans victims across 15 Indian states, underscores a growing and profitable criminal model where individuals knowingly 'lend' their accounts to syndicates for hefty commissions.
The Elaborate WhatsApp Investment Scam
The investigation was triggered by a complaint from a woman residing in Noida's Sector 50. She approached the cybercrime police after being cheated of a massive sum. The fraud began when she was added to a WhatsApp group that promised exceptionally high returns on stock market investments. Lured by these false promises, she was convinced to transfer a staggering Rs 5.6 crore to the fraudsters.
Police tracking revealed that this money was swiftly routed through a complex maze of multiple bank accounts. One of these key accounts belonged to the arrested individual, Mohd Faizan. Acting promptly on the complaint, authorities froze all implicated accounts to prevent further movement of the stolen money.
A Network of Fraud and Hefty Commissions
Further police analysis painted a grim picture of Faizan's account's activity. It was discovered that his account already had 15 separate complaints registered against it on the government's National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Victims hailed from a wide range of states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Kerala, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
During interrogation, Faizan confessed to his deliberate role in the scheme. He admitted to knowingly providing his current account to a man named Charanjeet, a resident of Meerut, in exchange for significant payments. "Faizan was paid Rs 50,000 for opening one current account and Rs 25,000 for another, fully aware that these would be used in fraudulent activities," revealed a police official.
As part of this arrangement, Faizan was even called to Delhi in August and accommodated in a star hotel for three days. Investigators have established that approximately Rs 70 lakh was channeled through his account in various fraudulent transactions.
Expanding Investigation and Public Advisory
Faizan's arrest follows the earlier apprehension of his alleged accomplices, Sahib Singh and Neeraj (both aged 21), who were picked up on November 28. Police have now registered three separate cases against Faizan in Sambhal and Noida. The hunt is actively on for Charanjeet, who is believed to be a key operator in this elaborate scam.
Officials have reiterated the importance of public vigilance in combating such cybercrimes. They urge citizens to never share bank account details or OTPs with anyone and to be extremely wary of unsolicited investment offers on social media platforms like WhatsApp. Any suspicious cyber activity should be reported immediately to the national helpline 1930 or on the official portal www.cybercrime.gov.in.
This case serves as a critical warning against the emerging trend of 'account lending,' where individuals, tempted by quick money, become willing accomplices in nationwide financial fraud, causing immense distress to victims.
