Bhopal Cyber-crime Branch Arrests Accused of Duping Man of Rs18.60 Lakh with Cryptocurrency Investment Scheme

Strategic Insights -

Bhopal's Cyber-crime Branch has made a significant breakthrough in the cryptocurrency investment scam case, arresting three accused from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, for duping an Awadhpuri-based man of Rs18.60 lakhs. The accused, Narendra, Nimbaram, and Chandan Manjhi, allegedly lured the victim into a fake investment scheme via Telegram, targeting college students in need of money and using their documents to open bank accounts. The operation resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of evidence, including mobile phones, Wi-Fi dongles, cheque books, ATM cards, and SIM cards.

Key Takeaways:

  • The accused used a fake Telegram group to lure the victim into a cryptocurrency investment scheme, initially investing Rs2,000, Rs5,000, and Rs8,000, and receiving a return of Rs20,000, which built trust.
  • The victim was then encouraged to invest larger amounts through "activities", resulting in the loss of Rs18.60 lakhs.
  • The accused targeted college students in need of money, using their documents to open bank accounts, which were later handed over to other absconding accused.
  • The accused activated internet banking using Wi-Fi dongles to evade police tracking.
  • The operation resulted in the seizure of seven mobile phones with SIM cards, two Wi-Fi dongle devices with SIMs, five cheque books, 62 ATM cards, and 28 SIM cards.
  • The accused were arrested from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and identified as Narendra, 21, Nimbaram, 22, and Chandan Manjhi, 37.
  • The accused sold an existing bank account to Narendra's brother for Rs10,000, and Nimbaram collected over 50 bank accounts, passing them on to an absconding accused, "Beeraram", for fraudulent fund transfers.

Statistics:

  • The victim invested Rs18.60 lakhs in the cryptocurrency investment scheme.
  • The victim initially invested Rs2,000, Rs5,000, and Rs8,000, and received a return of Rs20,000.
  • The accused targeted over 50 college students in need of money, using their documents to open bank accounts.
  • Seven mobile phones with SIM cards were seized during the operation.
  • Two Wi-Fi dongle devices with SIMs were seized during the operation.
  • Five cheque books, 62 ATM cards, and 28 SIM cards were seized during the operation.
  • The accused Narendra sold an existing bank account to Narendra's brother for Rs10,000.

Sources:

  • Bhopal Cyber-crime Branch
  • Times of India (no specific date mentioned)