Cyber Sleuths Track Down the Masterminds Behind India’s Largest Online Fraud
In a stunning breakthrough, the Puducherry Cyber Police have dismantled a sprawling online scam that siphoned off crores of rupees from unsuspecting investors across India.
The scam, which operated under the guise of legitimate trading platforms, lured victims with promises of high returns, only to vanish with their money.
The crackdown has led to the arrest of seven individuals, revealing the depths of a sophisticated criminal network that spanned the country.
The Unraveling: A Victim’s Journey
The investigation began when a local resident, Kokila, fell prey to the scheme.
After registering with Global Software Solution Trading Company, she was approached by a representative who persuaded her to invest in their “revolutionary” robotic trading software, promising substantial profits.
Enticed by the prospect of easy earnings, Kokila invested ₹18 lakhs, only to realize too late that she had been duped.
When the promised returns never materialized and the company became unresponsive, she turned to the Puducherry Cyber Crime Police for help.
The Investigation: Following the Money Trail
The complaint triggered an intense investigation led by Senior Superintendent of Police (Crime & Investigation) R. Kalaivanan and Superintendent of Police S. Bascarane.
Over the course of two months, the cyber police employed advanced technology to track bank transactions and digital communications. Their efforts led them to Bengaluru and Neyveli, uncovering a vast network of fraudsters operating from multiple locations across India.
The Climax: A High-Stakes Raid
On August 31, a special team led by officer B.C. Keerthy, along with Irusavel, Vinod, Balaji, and constable Aishwarya, executed a daring raid in Bengaluru. The operation resulted in the capture of the primary suspects: Thufail Ahmed, Praveen, Jagadish, Ansar Muhammad, Ramachandran, Vimal Raj, and Prem Anand.
The raid revealed more than just the identities of the culprits; it exposed the scale of the operation.
The fraudsters had transacted ₹56 crore through 64 bank accounts over the past nine months, using the money to purchase luxury vehicles, high-end properties, and resorts in Bengaluru, Puducherry, and Kodaikanal. The police also seized more than 50 computers, multiple credit and debit cards, and other luxury items.
The Masterminds: Unmasking the Leaders
Further investigation identified Nawshad Khan and Tufail Khan from Neyveli as the masterminds behind the operation. These individuals had orchestrated the scam from behind the scenes, using foreign internet connections and false call center registrations to avoid detection.
The network had been operating since 2014, scamming over 1.5 lakh victims across the country. The police are now on the hunt for five additional suspects who remain at large.
As the investigation continues, the police are committed to bringing all those involved to justice and recovering the stolen funds.
