The Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing has arrested 12 individuals involved in various cybercrimes, including online investment fraud, scholarship scams, and digital arrest schemes. These operations were conducted across multiple states, with the suspects apprehended in Delhi, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Online Investment Fraud
In a significant case, a doctor fell victim to an online trading scam that resulted in a loss of ₹87 lakh. The perpetrators, operating from Sri Lanka, enticed the victim through a fraudulent Facebook page promising high returns on investments. The arrested individuals include Sahabudeen (44), Shahid Afridy (27), Musthaq Ahamed (24), and Mohamed Usman (67), among others. Authorities seized electronic devices and communication tools from the suspects.
Scholarship Scam
In Delhi, three individuals—Ashu Kumar (29), Anuj Kumar Jha (21), and Shubham Kumar (22)—were arrested for their involvement in a scholarship scam. The cybercrime police conducted operations leading to their apprehension.
Digital Arrest Scam
A resident of Vellore was deceived through a “digital arrest” scam, where fraudsters impersonated Mumbai Police officers via WhatsApp video calls. The victim was coerced into transferring ₹2.72 crore over three days. Investigations revealed that ₹1.3 crore was deposited into a bank account in Kerala, belonging to a trading firm owned by Manju. Upon questioning, Manju disclosed that her second husband, Imthiaz Shah, was involved in the operation. Further inquiries identified 99 complaints linked to this account from across India. Imthiaz Shah was subsequently arrested.
These arrests are part of a broader crackdown on cybercrime in Tamil Nadu. Earlier in December 2024, the police launched ‘Operation Thiraineeku,’ leading to the arrest of 70 individuals involved in 135 cases statewide, with fraud amounts totaling ₹42 crore. The operation utilized profiling through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and financial data analysis to dismantle organized cybercrime networks.
(With Inputs From The Hindu)
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