In a major crackdown, Mohali cybercrime police arrested eight accused involved in an Rs18 crore online gaming fraud operating from Kharar. The gang lured victims nationwide with fake promises of high returns through a fraudulent platform.
The accused are Pankaj Goswami, Bhaven Kumar Ulke, Gurpreet Singh, Manjeet Singh, Nikhil Kumar, Ajay, Harsh Kumar, and Ritesh Majhi, all undergraduates or graduates.
According to SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans, the gang created a fake website, www.allpanelexch.com, circulating doctored WhatsApp messages to show fake earnings and incentivize user registrations. Victims were then persuaded to invest large sums through multiple bank accounts, believing they were earning gaming profits.
Cyber police teams led by DSP Rupinderdeep Kaur Sohi raided several residences in Kharar, including Koiyaan City Homes, Gillco Valley, and Royal Apartments. They seized laptops, mobile phones, SIM cards, bank cards, and cash during the operation.
The accused ran their scam from two rented flats in Kharar. Authorities identified Vijay as the mastermind, who remains absconding. A notice has been issued to trace him.
