TWO ACCUSED ARRESTED FROM KHANNA IN LUDHIANA DISTT. AND THE OTHER FROM ROPAR
Face2News/New Delhi
The Inter State Cell (ISC) of Crime Branch, Delhi Police, has arrested four cyber fraudsters involved in large-scale online investment scams operating through fake WhatsApp groups and bogus trading applications. The arrests have been made in two separate cases being investigated by ISC.
In the first case, the complainant was cheated of ₹31,45,000/- on the pretext of an investment scheme promising high returns. The accused persons lured the complainant through a WhatsApp group and got an application named “Cventura” installed on his mobile phone. The complainant was induced to transfer funds into six different bank accounts as part of the purported investment.
After a substantial amount had been deposited and the complainant started demanding his profit, the WhatsApp group suddenly disappeared and the said application became non-functional. On his complaint, a case vide FIR No. 17/25, U/s 308/318(4)/319/340 BNS was registered at Cyber NED and later transferred to Crime Branch, Delhi for further investigation.
During investigation, details of the first-layer beneficiary accounts were obtained from the concerned banks. It was found that the cheated amount had been routed through several “mule” bank accounts used by the fraudsters to layer and siphon off the funds.
On the basis of technical surveillance, bank account scrutiny and location analysis of the concerned branches and mobile phones, raids were conducted at Ludhiana and Khanna in Punjab. Two accused persons were arrested namely Rajiv (33) R/o District Rupnagar, Punjabis a mule account holder in whose bank account the proceeds of cyber fraud were credited. An amount of about ₹6.45 lakh from the present case was found credited to his account. Scrutiny of the said account revealed that it was involved in multiple cyber fraud transactions reported on the NCRP portal and transactions of more than one crore rupees had taken place before the account was finally deactivated.
Rajiv disclosed that some persons namely Monu and other two persons who had approached him to open the account and use it. He admitted that he received ₹2 lakh as commission for providing his account. His mobile phone, SIM card, ATM card and cheque book were seized.
The second accused Monu Kumar r/o District Ludhiana, Punjab, Age 27 years used to lure and induce individuals to open bank accounts and thereafter facilitated the sale and use of such accounts for cyber fraud in lieu of commission. He used to receive around ₹15,000/- per bank account arranged by him. He was arrested from Khanna, Punjab.
Two other associates identified during investigation are still absconding and efforts are underway to apprehend them.
In the second case, the complainant joined a WhatsApp group namely “VIP 10 Stock Sharing Group” on 29.07.2025, where the accused persons induced him to invest through an application named “Verger Application”. The complainant was gradually made to transfer a total of ₹47,15,800/- through multiple transactions in different bank accounts on the pretext of stock/investment trading. Thereafter, the said WhatsApp group and the Verger application were abruptly discontinued by the accused persons.
On his complaint, an FIR was registered and the case was transferred to Inter State Cell, Crime Branch, for detailed investigation.
INVESTIGATION (CASE–II): During investigation, it was established that the complainant transferred ₹47,15,800/- through 14 transactions into 9 different bank accounts. Out of this, an amount of ₹14,25,000/- was credited into a Bank of Baroda account in the name of “Farmpure Organic”, and another amount of ₹1,00,000/- was transferred into the account of one Rajbir Singh, who further transferred this amount to an ICICI Bank account in Mumbai.
Mr. Aditya Gautamm DCP/Crime Branch, said, investigation has revealed a well-organised network of cyber fraudsters operating across several States and using: - Fake investment / stock trading WhatsApp groups - Bogus mobile applications (Cventura / Verger) - Layered “mule” bank accounts opened through local agents on commission - Rapid, high-value transactions to launder and siphon cheated funds.Multiple mobile phones, SIM cards, ATM cards, cheque books and bank documents have been seized. Detailed financial scrutiny and technical analysis is underway to identify further victims, trace the end beneficiaries and freeze the remaining funds.Efforts are being made to apprehend the absconding accused persons including who are associated with the arrested accused persons.
Raids were conducted at Hisar and Panchkula (Haryana) and accused Mohit was apprehended. His mobile phone was seized. Scrutiny of the account revealed that the cheated amount of ₹14,25,000/- had been routed through multiple transactions to conceal the trail. On interrogation, Mohit disclosed that he had opened the said bank account in the name of his wife without her knowledge and had handed over the account details and linked SIM card to his associate Balwan.
Further investigation led to the arrest of accused Balwan from Churu, Rajasthan. During interrogation, Balwan disclosed that he arranged current and savings accounts on the directions of an associate in lieu of commission. He further disclosed the role of some other persons in the case. The mobile phone of accused Balwan has been seized.
During investigation, accused Rajbir, in whose account ₹1,00,000/- was credited, was also arrested. On sustained interrogation, he disclosed that his son had provided his bank account details and linked SIM card to another person. Both are being traced.
ROLES OF ACCUSED (CASE–II) : Mohit First-layer account holder/provider. Transactions of around ₹3 crore were conducted through his account within a short span of 12 days.
Rajbir Singh's Role: First-layer account holder/provider. Transactions of around ₹20 crore were conducted through his account within 3 days.
Balwan Role: Mediator arranging first-layer bank accounts on the directions of another associate in lieu of commission.
INVESTIGATION SO FAR: Mr. Aditya Gautamm DCP/Crime Branch, said, investigation has revealed a well-organised network of cyber fraudsters operating across several States and using: - Fake investment / stock trading WhatsApp groups - Bogus mobile applications (Cventura / Verger) - Layered “mule” bank accounts opened through local agents on commission - Rapid, high-value transactions to launder and siphon cheated funds.
Multiple mobile phones, SIM cards, ATM cards, cheque books and bank documents have been seized. Detailed financial scrutiny and technical analysis is underway to identify further victims, trace the end beneficiaries and freeze the remaining funds.
Efforts are being made to apprehend the absconding accused persons including who are associated with the arrested accused persons.