Sonepat man arrested for investment-related fraud

In a major breakthrough in a cyber fraud case, the Panchkula police arrested an accused involved in an investment scam carried out through a Telegram group. The fraud, amounting to Rs 3.46 lakh, was executed by luring a common citizen with the promise of high returns.

A Panchkula resident received a Telegram group link on his WhatsApp number in June 2025. The group offered a 40 per cent return on investments and gradually gained the complainant’s trust. Over time, the victim was duped of Rs 3,46,760 through various transactions. Upon realising that he had been cheated, the complainant approached the cyber police, Panchkula and lodged a formal complaint.

A case was registered on October 15, 2025, under Sections 316(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police found Rs 72,500 from the cheated amount had been transferred to the bank account of Rohit Saini, a resident of Sonepat.

The investigating officer, Ravindra Ohlan, conducted a detailed analysis of technical evidence and bank transactions. Based on strong evidence, the police arrested the accused Saini on January 30.

DCP Manpreet Singh Sudan said the accused was produced before the court, which granted a four-day police remand. During the remand period, the accused is being interrogated to uncover other individuals involved in the cyber fraud network, including Telegram group operators, associated bank accounts and the complete modus operandi.

The DCP said this was the first arrest in the case and the investigation is ongoing. He appealed to the public to remain cautious and avoid falling prey to unknown WhatsApp links, Telegram groups or investment offers promising unusually high returns.