Sirsa Cyber Police have arrested a man from Gujarat for allegedly defrauding a Fatehabad resident of Rs 7.4 lakh through a fake online trading scheme that promised unusually high profits. Acting on specific intelligence, a police team traced the suspect to Gujarat’s Banaskantha district and took him into custody.
Sirsa SP Deepak Saharan said the victim approached the police in December, reporting that he had received a message on October 10, 2024, from an unknown number offering 200 per cent profit through online trading. The sender claimed the victim would owe only a 20 per cent commission after receiving his profits. To gain his confidence, the fraudsters added him to a WhatsApp group named “Team Zerodha”, where fabricated profit screenshots were repeatedly shared.
The victim later clicked on a link shared in the group and downloaded an app called “JD Trade Pro”. After registering, he began transferring money through net banking. SP Saharan said the victim initially invested Rs 2.9 lakh, and the fake profit entries displayed on the app encouraged him to invest further, bringing his total investment to Rs 7.4 lakh.
Trouble began when he tried to withdraw his funds. The scammers demanded an additional Rs 5 lakh, prompting the victim to realise he had been cheated. He then filed a complaint at Sirsa Cyber Police Station, where a case was registered under provisions related to cyber fraud.
Following the investigation, police arrested Alpesh Kumar, son of Bhura Bhai, a tailor from Banaskantha and currently residing in Disa, Gujarat. He will be produced before the court and is expected to be taken on remand for further interrogation to trace the defrauded money. Officials said more individuals involved in the scam may be identified as the investigation progresses.
Police have urged citizens to stay alert and avoid sharing banking information with unknown individuals. SP Saharan advised that anyone who encounters cyber fraud or suspicious financial activity should immediately contact their nearest police station or dial 1930, the national cyber helpline, to block transactions promptly.
