Woman Arrested in Haryana for Cyber Fraud; Links Traced to International Networks
Dehradun (Utrakhand): The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttarakhand’s Cyber Police in the Kumaon region has uncovered a major cyber fraud racket and arrested a woman from Haryana. The investigation revealed that the fraud network extended across Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and even foreign countries. The accused lured victims through fake online trading schemes on social media platforms. Preliminary investigations have revealed fraud worth ₹3.5 crore so far.
A Nainital resident lodged a complaint in November 2024, stating that he had been duped of ₹33 lakhs after responding to an online trading advertisement on WhatsApp in September 2024. Acting on technical evidence, the STF team conducted a raid in Panchkula, Haryana, and arrested the main accused, Nisha Devi, a resident of Railway Colony, Tipra.
Fraudulent Firm Setup
Nisha Devi allegedly set up a fake firm, “Bhagatji Wire Strip Company,” and opened an account in the State Bank of India. Records show that ₹9.52 lakhs were transferred to this account from the complainant. Between September and November 2024, transactions worth ₹3.5 crore were carried out from this account.
Police Statement and Public Advisory
Senior Superintendent of Police (STF), Navneet Singh, stated that strict action is being taken in cases of cybercrime to deliver justice to victims. He urged the public to remain vigilant and thoroughly verify any unknown offers or investment schemes before parting with their money. Victims of cyber fraud are encouraged to report incidents immediately via the helpline number 1930.
Links to International Cybercriminals
The cyber police traced and verified bank accounts and mobile numbers to gather digital evidence. The investigation revealed that the accused opened fraudulent accounts in others’ names, acquired internet banking kits, and used these accounts for cyber fraud. OTPs and other critical data were forwarded to international cybercriminals through SMS forwarding applications.
Further investigations uncovered that these fake accounts were used for cybercrimes across several states in India, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, and Punjab. Multiple complaints have been registered against the accused in these states.
The STF continues to investigate and aims to dismantle the broader network of cybercriminals involved in this racket.