In a major breakthrough, the Cyber Police Station in Phase-7, Mohali, has busted a fake call centre running out of a high-rise apartment in Sector-91, leading to the arrest of eight individuals, including a woman, for their alleged role in a Rs50 crore cryptocurrency scam.
Based on a tip-off, police raided Flat No. 501 in Acme Eden Court Society, where the accused were operating the fraudulent business while posing as a legitimate enterprise.
The Modus Operandi
The gang targeted people across India by sending them fake messages claiming unauthorized cryptocurrency purchases linked to their bank accounts. Victims were pressured into calling a bogus helpline number, where imposters posing as officials manipulated them into transferring money via e-vouchers, gift cards, or direct bank transfers.
The Accused
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
Abhishek Pandey (Mumbai)
Akshay Kumar (Jammu & Kashmir)
Pradeep Das (Arunachal Pradesh)
Mukul Singh (Himachal Pradesh)
Shaun Sakeen, Amit Tiwari, Arfeen Sadiq, and Arpita Sarbabidya (all from West Bengal)
They had been living together in the same flat, which served as the operational hub for the racket that allegedly ran for over six months, scamming victims nationwide.
Investigation and Seizure
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Rupinderdeep Sohi, some of the accused are students. “We believe a larger network is involved, and the mastermind might be based in Punjab,” she said.
The police recovered:
12 laptops
14 mobile phones
An SUV suspected to be used in executing the scam
