
Retired scientist duped of Rs 1.29 crore in 'digital arrest' scam; 2 arrested
According to police, Singh is the director of a private firm and had opened a corporate bank account in the company's name at ICICI Bank. This account was used to receive the Rs 1.29 crore extorted from Dr Nandi.During questioning, Singh admitted to distributing the money within the gang and receiving commissions in USDT (cryptocurrency) through the Binance app, police said. He claimed to have earned 871 USDT so far.Mahfooz confessed he had opened a bank account on the instructions of an associate in exchange for commission and handed over the ATM card and SIM card to the gang. Around Rs 9 lakh linked to the fraud was deposited into his account.A case of cheating and extortion has been lodged at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Bareilly under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66D of the IT Act.The arrests follow an earlier crackdown on July 5, when four members of the same gang were caught. Authorities are now investigating other bank accounts, crypto wallets, and additional gang members.- EndsTrending Reel
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The Hindu
14 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Three held in ₹44 lakh cyber fraud case
Three persons were arrested by the cyber crime wing of the Hyderabad police for defrauding a city-based person of over ₹44 lakh by posing as trading advisors from a fictitious firm named 'Aveshta Study Group-W'. The accused were identified as Milind Manohar Narkar, 34, a private employee from Santacruz, Mumbai; Ranak Jagadish Patel, 31, a businessman from Bhiwandi, Thane; and Salik Imtiyaz Ahmed Siddiqui, 25, a private employee from Mumbra, Thane. All three were working in tandem with a cyber fraudster operating out of Dubai. According to investigators, the trio contacted the victim in June 2025 on phone, claiming to be professional trading advisors offering high return investment opportunities. Lured by the promise of substantial profits, the victim was persuaded to transfer funds into several bank accounts controlled by the accused. When the victim later attempted to withdraw the 'profits', he was asked to first pay a 20% 'service charge' on the returns. Believing the promise that both the profits and the original investment would be returned following this payment, the victim complied. In total, he was cheated of ₹44,04,753. During the investigation, it emerged that Milind Narkar was actively assisting the Dubai-based kingpin by converting fraudulently acquired funds into cryptocurrency. He also played a key role in sourcing and operating mule accounts, and was found to be accommodating account holders at various hotels in Mumbai. His network extended across seven other States in India where he allegedly facilitated the conversion of illicit gains into digital currency. The Hyderabad police seized three mobile phones from the accused. All three are believed to be working on commission for the overseas fraudster, by providing access to and managing local bank accounts used in the scam. Following the case, the Hyderabad police issued a public advisory warning citizens to be wary of suspicious investment schemes promising unusually high returns. Authorities have noted that scammers often pose as representatives of well-known firms and use forged documents, including fake SEBI certifications, to build credibility. Such fraudsters commonly advertise via platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, and often share fake profit screenshots to gain victims' trust. Citizens have been urged to verify investment schemes thoroughly before parting with their money and to avoid making hasty financial decisions based on promises of quick returns. Victims of cyber fraud are advised to immediately dial 1930 or visit: for assistance.


Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Chitta' test now must during police recruitment in HP
1 2 Shimla: In a bid to curb the problem of drug menace, the Himachal cabinet, headed by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Tuesday decided to introduce mandatory dope testing for Chitta (heroin) during police recruitment. All new govt employees will now also be required to submit an undertaking confirming they do not consume Chitta. Sukhu also made it clear that strict action would be taken against any govt employee found involved in drug-related activities. The council of ministers was informed that the drug abuse situation in Himachal Pradesh remains under control, with narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS) cases accounting for 9% of the total cases, significantly lower than Punjab's 20%. During the present state govt's tenure, 45 such cases were registered, in which properties worth Rs 42.22 crore belonging to individuals involved in drug-related activities were attached. This marks a more than two-fold increase in the number of cases and a three-fold increase in the value of properties seized compared to previous periods. Also, under the provisions of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic(PIT)-INDPS Act, a total of 44 detention orders were issued and successfully executed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo During the meeting, the police, social justice and empowerment, and health departments made presentations on the steps being taken to combat drug abuse in the state. Sukhu emphasised the urgent need for coordinated actions to dismantle drug networks to protect the youth of the state from addiction. The departments have been directed to intensify their efforts in capacity building, awareness generation, treatment, counselling, follow-up, and rehabilitation of individuals affected by drug addiction. "Integrated rehabilitation centres have already been established in Kullu, Hamirpur, Nurpur, and Una to facilitate recovery and reintegration into society. It was also apprised that a project with an outlay of Rs 14.95 crore will be launched to set up similar centres at all district headquarters, under the state action plan of the department of social justice and empowerment," said a source in the govt. During the meet, the chief minister instructed mahila mandals, yuvak mandals, panchayati raj institutions, civil society organisations, and the education department to actively involve themselves in raising awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse. Sukhu exhorted all departments to work jointly in waging a comprehensive war against drug abuse and also stressed the importance of regular inter-state border monitoring. MSID: 122978072 413 |


News18
39 minutes ago
- News18
Delhi: 2 held for cheating vendors by issuing tenders under fake govt firm
New Delhi, Jul 29 (PTI) Delhi Police has arrested two persons for allegedly duping several merchants and vendors of crores of rupees by posing as representatives of a fake government trust and issuing tenders under it, an official said on Tuesday. The accused, Karunakar alias Ratnakar Upadhyay (40) and Anita Upadhyay (35) were held in connection with a case registered at the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) police station based on multiple complaints, including one by a retired army officer, they said. According to officials, the two are graduates and were unemployed. They turned to fraud for easy money. Ratnakar is involved in multiple criminal cases in Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Delhi, including a rape case registered against him at Paharganj police station in 2023, while Anita was previously arrested in a similar case in Chhattisgarh. 'The duo posed as representatives of a fake trust named Rashtriya Gramin Saksharta Mission (RGSM), which they claimed was a Government of India undertaking. They also created a fake website and opened a bank account in the name of the mission to lend authenticity to their claims," Additional Commissioner of Police (EOW) Amrutha Guguloth said. The accused allegedly induced vendors to register for supplying uniforms, school bags, medical kits and other materials meant for distribution among underprivileged students in various states. After taking delivery of the goods, the two failed to make payments, the officer said. 'In one case, complainant Retired Captain Shivender Singh Bakshi was duped of nearly Rs 2 crore under the pretext of commission for tender allotment and supply of school uniforms," he added. Three other similar complaints from merchants are under investigation. The investigation revealed that Ratnakar had created the fake website and operated the bank account, from which he withdrew approximately Rs 3.5 crore for personal use. Anita, who was presented as the head of mission also received funds from the account and played an active role in the conspiracy, the officer said. Police said the accused were arrested in a case on July 16 and again in another case on July 21. Both were remanded to police custody by a local court. During the probe, two truckloads containing around 45,000 school uniforms valued at approximately Rs 1.5 crore — supplied by complainant Bakshi — were recovered. The accused had earlier been arrested by Chhattisgarh Police in a similar case involving RGSM-related fraud. PTI SSJ SSJ SHS OZ OZ view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 19:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.