Another arrest made in Panchkula Rs 2.34 cr cyber fraud case

The police have apprehended a second suspect in connection with the cyber fraud case involving an 80-year-old retired Army officer.

The arrested individual has been identified as Harjot Singh, alias Samar, from Ludhiana. His arrest follows that of the first accused, Govind Singh Randhawa, who is already in judicial custody in connection with the same offence.

The case dates back to September 11, 2024, when retired Colonel Jagwant Singh, a resident of Sector 2, lodged a cyber fraud complaint. A case was registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Panchkula, under Sections 316(2), 318(4), 319, 336(3), 338, 340 and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Under the leadership of Cyber station house officer (SHO) Yadvinder Singh, Investigating Officer Assistan Sub-Inspector (ASI) Satish arrested Harjot Singh on August 12. He was produced before the court the same day and remanded to two days’ police custody.

Investigators are now interrogating him to uncover other accomplices and to dismantle the wider network involved in the scam.

Preliminary probe indicates that the accused has a history of similar crimes, with fraud cases already registered against him in Gurugram and Ludhiana.

According to the complainant, Jagwant Singh, he received a WhatsApp message from a person claiming to be an employee of a stock market firm. The individual engaged him in conversation, offering promises of substantial profits through investments. Over a period of time, and over multiple transactions, the victim was deceived into transferring a total of Rs 2.34 crore.

Retired Air Force Sergeant loses Rs 31 lakh

Meanwhile, the police have also arrested a suspect in connection with a cyber fraud targeting a retired Indian Air Force Sergeant, resulting in a loss of Rs 31.05 lakh.

The victim, 60-year-old Madan Lal Kapoor, a resident of Dharmapur Colony, approached the police alleging that he was added to a WhatsApp group on June 20, 2024. A member, claiming to be a stock market “teacher”, befriended him and enticed him with promises of high returns on investments. Over the next two to three months, the fraudster allegedly manipulated him into making multiple transfers, collectively amounting to over Rs 31 lakh.

Following the complaint, police registered a case on September 3, 2024 under relevant sections of the BNS. Through technical analysis, the suspect was identified as Mahendra Chaudhary, son of Maniram, who was arrested on August 13. He has been remanded in police custody for six days.

During the interrogation, police are examining the bank accounts, mobile numbers, forged documents, and digital devices used in the scam, as well as identifying potential accomplices.