In a major breakthrough, police in Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh, arrested three cyber fraudsters from Gujarat, who were linked to over 48 cases of online scams totaling around Rs 7 crore. The arrested individuals, all residents of Gujarat, had been running a fraudulent operation involving fake call centers and deceptive online trading schemes.
According to Rajat Saklecha, Superintendent of Police, the investigation began after a complaint from Ankush Jhariya, a resident of Anjaniya village. Jhariya reported receiving a message promising high returns from online trading. Intrigued, he contacted the number listed and transferred Rs 20,000 to open a trading account with a firm called “First Bank Limited.”
As Jhariya continued investing in the scheme, he deposited an additional Rs 17 lakh from his father’s retirement savings, lured by promises of greater returns. However, when he tried to purchase an IPO through the app, he discovered a deficit of Rs 72 lakh in his account. The fraudsters insisted that more money would resolve the issue, prompting Jhariya to realize he had been scammed.
Upon investigation, Mandla’s cyber cell tracked the fraudsters through a money trail, which led to Gujarat. A police team was dispatched, resulting in the arrest of Vishal Jhala, 27, from Gandhinagar, Laxman, 47, from Kalol, and Nirav Popat, 43, from Ahmedabad. The accused admitted to operating fraudulent trading schemes via WhatsApp and Telegram groups, where they targeted unsuspecting victims across India.
The gang’s criminal activities spanned 16 states, with victims losing nearly Rs 6.96 crore in total. While the police managed to arrest three key members, other gang members have fled, and efforts to apprehend them are ongoing.
