New Delhi, Sep 12 (IANS) : The Delhi Police’s East District Cyber Police Station has cracked a cyber fraud case involving the cheating of a Gujarat-based victim on the pretext of supplying washing machine spare parts at a low price, with three alleged mule account holders apprehended during the investigation.
The case was registered on the basis of a complaint received through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) from Patan, Gujarat. The victim, Husen Chunawala, had intended to purchase washing machine spare parts and made an online payment of Rs 1.5 lakh. However, the promised spare parts were not supplied and communication with the persons concerned subsequently stopped.
During the enquiry, police found that part of the cheated amount had been withdrawn through an ATM in East District.
Police traced the bank account into which part of the cheated amount had been transferred and found it to be in the name of Naitik, a resident of Shakarpur. Further investigation allegedly revealed that Naitik had received the amount through Vikas Soni, also from Shakarpur. Both were apprehended.
Police subsequently apprehended another accused, Sagar, a resident of Trilokpuri, who allegedly received part of the cheated amount in his bank account, withdrew it through an ATM and handed over the cash to an absconding associate in exchange for a commission.
According to police, the three accused allegedly acted as mule account holders and cash handlers on the directions of the absconding associate, who coordinated the receipt, withdrawal and delivery of the cheated funds.
A black iPhone 13 was recovered from Vikas Soni. Police said the device contains chats and communications relevant to the transactions and is being examined for further digital evidence. Another NCRP complaint has also been found linked to bank account(s) allegedly used by the accused.
Police said the accused allegedly targeted people searching online for washing machine spare parts. In some cases, persons posing as sellers or service providers allegedly contacted customers searching for customer-care or contact numbers of reputed brands through Google and offered spare parts at unusually low prices. Victims were then allegedly induced to make online payments, which were routed through multiple mule accounts.
Vikas Soni, 22, is a BA third-year student and allegedly handled cheated funds and provided/used his bank account on the directions of the absconding associate. Naitik, 21, a BA second-year student of the School of Open Learning, allegedly became involved for easy monetary gain. Sagar, 31, a Class 12 pass-out and Rapido rider, allegedly withdrew the funds and handed over the cash to the absconding associate.
Police said efforts are underway to trace the absconding associate, identify other members of the network and establish the complete money trail.
