In a significant breakthrough, Panchkula police have made their first arrest in a major online investment fraud case orchestrated through the Telegram messaging application. The arrest marks a crucial step in unravelling a scam that defrauded a local resident of a substantial sum of money.
The Deceptive Call and The Scam
The incident came to light when a resident of Panchkula approached the police with a formal complaint, leading to the registration of a case on March 18. According to the details provided, the victim's ordeal began on September 27, 2024, when he received an unsolicited call from an unknown number.
The caller on the other end skillfully lured the complainant with promises of exceptionally high returns on investments. Trusting the persuasive pitch, the victim was convinced to download the Telegram app. Through this platform, the fraudsters further ensnared him, ultimately cheating him of a staggering Rs 35.11 lakh under the guise of various investment schemes.
Police Action and Arrest
Following the complaint, the Panchkula police, under the supervision of DCP Crime Manpreet Singh Sudan, registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the relevant sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The cyber cell and crime branch initiated a technical investigation to trace the digital footprints of the culprits.
This diligent probe led the police to identify and subsequently arrest the first accused in the case on December 6. The arrested individual has been identified as Maktul, a resident of Baladhan Khurd village in Rewari district. Investigators discovered that a portion of the scammed money, specifically Rs 2 lakh, had been transferred directly into Maktul's bank account, providing a crucial financial link.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
After his arrest, the accused was presented before a local court, which granted the police four days of custodial remand. During this critical remand period, the investigation team will focus on several key fronts to dismantle the entire fraud network.
The primary objectives are:
- Identifying the co-accused involved in the elaborate scam.
- Tracing the origin and network behind the fake calls that initially targeted the victim.
- Following the complete money trail to recover the defrauded funds and expose the financial channels used by the fraudsters.
This arrest is seen as just the first step in a larger crackdown on such cyber-enabled financial crimes that exploit digital platforms like Telegram to prey on unsuspecting individuals seeking lucrative investment opportunities.
