On August 27, 2024, the Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) cyber unit, in collaboration with Dehradun Police, arrested a suspect involved in a significant cyber fraud case originating from Surat, Gujarat. The scam reportedly defrauded a victim from Roorkee, Haridwar, of over Rs43 lakh.
The accused used deceptive advertisements on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, to entice victims with promises of substantial returns from stock trading and IPO investments. By showcasing fake profits on a fraudulent website, they collected personal information to create fake accounts.
The perpetrators reached out to victims via social media ads and WhatsApp groups, luring them with the prospect of lucrative returns. After establishing trust, they convinced the victims to invest more money, using false claims about IPOs and additional funding needs. Victims’ funds were transferred to various bank accounts, but when it came time to withdraw their investments, the fraudsters refused to return the money.
The STF successfully apprehended Sameer Dilawar Patel, 20, from Shri Ram Chowk, Amroli, Surat, on August 23, 2024. During the arrest, authorities seized a mobile phone, an SMS alert linked to a fraudulent bank account, and a checkbook used in the scam.
