In a significant victory against digital fraud, the Trichy Cybercrime Police have successfully returned a staggering sum of ₹48 lakh to a 75-year-old retired government official. The senior citizen had fallen prey to a sophisticated online investment scam back in November, losing his life savings.
The Deceptive Lure of Quick Profits
The incident began when the resident of Rockfort Nagar in Trichy received a message on his phone. The communication promised enormous returns through online investments, a classic hook used by cybercriminals. Intrigued by the offer, the victim clicked on a link that directed him to a website named www.wexdor.com.
Trusting the platform, the elderly man proceeded to create an account on the site. Subsequently, he transferred a total of ₹48 lakh from his two separate bank accounts to the investment portal. It was only after completing the transactions that he realized he had been thoroughly cheated, with no means to access his funds or contact the fraudsters.
Swift Police Action and Multi-State Investigation
Immediately upon realizing the deception, the victim lodged a formal complaint with the Trichy Cybercrime Police Unit. The police launched a detailed investigation into the financial trail. Their probe revealed a complex web of transactions designed to obscure the money's path.
Investigators discovered that the initial accounts that received the funds were located in the states of Gujarat and West Bengal. From there, the criminals had swiftly moved the money through a chain of nearly 20 different bank accounts spread across the country, a common tactic to launder illicit gains.
Acting with urgency, the cybercrime team coordinated with multiple banks to get all the implicated accounts frozen. This rapid response was crucial in stopping the further dispersion of the stolen money.
Full Recovery and Public Warning
The diligent efforts of the police bore fruit as they managed to trace and recover the entire ₹48 lakh that was lost. On Monday, Police Commissioner N. Kamini formally handed over a bank statement to the victim, confirming the return of all his money to his account.
Commissioner Kamini used this opportunity to issue a stern public warning. She urged citizens, especially the elderly, to exercise extreme caution online. "The public is advised not to click on suspicious investment links promising unrealistic profits and to never share their banking credentials or OTPs with anyone," she emphasized.
This case highlights the increasing threat of online phishing scams targeting vulnerable individuals and underscores the importance of cyber vigilance. It also serves as a testament to the capability of specialized cybercrime units in tracking digital fraud and securing justice for victims.
