Instagram 'Double Money' trap busted: Woman kingpin held in Rs 45 lakh cyber fraud in Muktsar

Muktsar district police have busted a cyber fraud gang that allegedly duped people of over Rs 45 lakh through fake investment schemes on social media, especially Instagram. The police have arrested the main accused, Navdeep Kaur alias Nisha Rani of Patiala, who was currently living in Abohar in Fazilka district, while her husband Ranjit Singh and associate Ramandeep Singh of Chandigarh are still absconding.

Another accomplice, Manpreet Kaur of Patiala, has already been arrested.

According to the police, the gang lured victims by promising to double or even quadruple their money within a few days. Initially, small returns were given to gain trust, after which victims were persuaded to invest larger amounts before the accused disappeared, said DSP Harjeet Singh.

He said that the gang used to target less educated people.

In one case registered in October last year, Kulwinder Kaur from Malout was cheated of around Rs 14.92 lakh after making multiple transactions. In another case registered in April last year, victims, including Malkit Kaur and Rajni Verma lost more than Rs 27 lakh through similar schemes run via Instagram accounts.

The cybercrime wing of police tracked the accused using digital evidence gathered from multiple complaints, leading to the arrest of the main accused.

Navdeep Kaur was produced in a court and remanded to two-day police custody. The police expect further disclosures during questioning. It added that she is a habitual offender and has previous cases registered against her in Ludhiana, Patiala and Fatehabad districts.

The police have urged the public to remain cautious and avoid falling for lucrative investment offers on social media.