Noida Cyber Police Nab Youth in Multi-Crore Digital Fraud
In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Noida Police arrested a 20-year-old man on Thursday for his alleged involvement in a sophisticated fake online investment scam that duped a victim of a staggering Rs 3 crore. The fraud was orchestrated through a fraudulent stock trading platform, officials confirmed.
The Modus Operandi: Friendship, Promise, and Betrayal
The case came to light on November 20 when the Cyber Crime Police Station registered a formal complaint. The victim stated that a woman, who had befriended him on Facebook, suggested a highly lucrative investment opportunity. She lured him with promises of exceptionally high returns in a very short period through a specific online trading platform.
Trusting the new acquaintance, the complainant proceeded to transfer a total of Rs 3 crore into multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. It was only after making these substantial transfers that he realized he had fallen prey to an elaborate scam.
Legal Action and Investigation Trail
Following the complaint, an FIR was registered under stringent legal provisions. The charges included BNS Section 318(4) for cheating, BNS Section 319(2) for cheating by personation, and Section 66D of the IT Act for cheating by personation using a computer resource. Acting swiftly, the police managed to freeze the bank accounts linked to the fraudulent activity.
The investigation led the cyber cell to Amendra Shakya, a native of Badaun. Police traced approximately Rs 1 crore of the swindled money to a current account connected to him. Shakya was subsequently arrested in Noida. This arrest follows the earlier apprehension of two other accused in the same case, identified as Tejpal and Rupendra.
The Account's Role and Wider Fraud Network
During interrogation, Amendra Shakya allegedly told the police that his neighbour, Tejpal, had approached him with an offer. Tejpal promised him a commission for providing a current account, claiming that Shakya could earn a good income from the funds that would be deposited into it.
Shakya reportedly handed over his personal documents to Tejpal, who used them to create a fake GST firm. This firm was then used to open the bank account. For his role, Shakya was paid a total of Rs 1 lakh. The police investigation confirmed that around Rs 1 crore from the scam was funneled into this account.
The probe revealed a wider impact of this fraudulent account. Authorities have linked it to a total of five complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). These complaints originated from victims across Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, indicating the pan-India reach of the scam network.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber) Shavya Goyal emphasized the importance of public vigilance. She advised citizens to be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment advice on social media and to thoroughly verify the legitimacy of any online trading platform before transferring funds.
