In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Raipur Police have arrested seven individuals connected to fraudulent share trading schemes and fake Google review tasks, with total losses exceeding Rs70 lakh. The operation has resulted in five separate cases that expose large-scale fraud activities.
A complaint from Rashmi at the Range Cyber Police Station detailed a loss of Rs88 lakh in a fraudulent share trading scheme. Somnath Sardar (24) from Kolkata was arrested for providing the bank account used in the scam. Sardar operates a computer shop in Kolkata, and Rs57 lakh has been frozen as part of the investigation. Previously, four other suspects from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Chennai were also arrested in connection with this case.
Shweta Mehra from Raipur reported being duped of Rs29.49 lakh through a fake Google review task job. Prem Chandrakar (22) from Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, was arrested for operating a call center in Pune involved in the scam. Chandrakar reportedly used the fraud proceeds to build a lavish house and buy an expensive car. His properties are currently under seizure, and the police have confiscated a mobile phone and SIM card used in the crime. Additionally, over 500 bank accounts and UPI IDs linked to the scam have been blocked, with another suspect previously arrested in Gujarat.
Mayur Lakhtaria reported a loss of Rs6.5 lakh in a similar share trading scam. Purushottam Dewangan (21) from Durg was arrested for supplying SIM cards used in the fraud. Investigators discovered approximately 600 SIM cards linked to various cybercrimes, which are now being deactivated.
Naveen Kumar filed a complaint at the Telibandha Police Station, reporting a fraud of Rs1.39 crore. Himanshu Nirmalkar (27) from Raipur was arrested; he had opened a current account under the name “Himanshu Enterprises” and rented it out for Rs50,000 per month to other scammers. The investigation is ongoing, revealing critical information about rented bank accounts.
Pramod Bajaj reported being cheated out of Rs22 lakh in a fraudulent share trading scheme. Police arrested three individuals: Mehul Prajapati (21) from Indore, and Vasu Manik (20) and Lupesh Sahu (19) from Raipur. This trio utilized fraudulent bank accounts to transfer and withdraw stolen funds, purchasing expensive mobile phones that have since been confiscated.
All seven accused have been remanded to judicial custody as investigations continue. The cybercrime unit is actively pursuing additional leads in these cases.