In a significant cybercrime bust, police arrested three B.Tech students from Ghaziabad for their alleged involvement in a Rs1.70 crore online fraud targeting an 84-year-old man in Noida. The victim was reportedly kept under “digital arrest” from September 9 to 15, during which he was coerced into transferring large sums.
The accused have been identified as Prince Kumar from Madhepura, Vidyasagar Yadav from Darbhanga, and Avnish Kumar from Muzaffarpur, all in their late 20s and studying at a private engineering college in Ghaziabad.
According to Vinod Kumar, SHO of the Cybercrime Branch, the trio provided their bank accounts to fraudsters to facilitate the money laundering process. “With electronic surveillance, we apprehended the three suspects,” said Kumar.
During interrogation, the suspects admitted to receiving a commission of 10% on the money transferred through their accounts. Their role involved withdrawing money and transferring it further after keeping their cut. Prince received Rs2 lakh, Avnish rs72,000, and Vidyasagar Rs57,000.
Police noted that six complaints were filed against their accounts on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) from various states. As of now, Rs17.48 lakh has been frozen, and investigations continue to trace the remaining money and other accomplices.
The case came to light when a retired deputy director from the Ministry of Communications filed a complaint on September 16, revealing that he was forced under “digital arrest” through threats and false allegations of money laundering. He transferred Rs1.70 crore in two transactions and was later asked to pay an additional Rs20 lakh by the fraudsters.
Police have registered cases under sections 308(2) (extortion), 318(4), 319(2) (cheating and personation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and relevant provisions of the IT Act. The Cybercrime Branch continues its probe.
