The Kullu police in Himachal Pradesh have initiated a formal investigation into allegations that bank accounts belonging to local students and young individuals have been exploited to facilitate financial transactions linked to cyber fraud activities.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that a case was registered at the Sadar Police Station on October 31, invoking relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The investigation aims to unravel a scheme where unsuspecting youths were allegedly induced with promises of monetary commissions, only for their accounts to be used for depositing and transferring funds acquired through fraudulent means.
Preliminary findings suggest that after money was deposited into these accounts, the account holders were reportedly instructed to withdraw the cash and hand it over to specific individuals. These transactions have raised red flags, with investigators discovering potential links to cybercrime complaints filed in other states. In response to these findings, debit freezes have been imposed on several of the implicated bank accounts.
The scope of the police inquiry extends to exploring possible connections with the online betting and gaming platform Lotus365, as well as the messaging application Telegram, which are believed to have played roles in the alleged network. Law enforcement agencies are meticulously examining bank statements, patterns of suspicious transactions, cash withdrawal records, and digital footprints to reconstruct the complete money trail and identify all parties involved.
As part of the ongoing investigation, two individuals have been identified and are central to the inquiry. These include a 20-year-old man from Delhi and a 26-year-old man originally from Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh, who is currently residing in Delhi. Following questioning and preliminary inquiries, both individuals were served notices under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Their mobile phones have also been seized in accordance with established procedures for the collection and technical examination of digital evidence.
The police are employing a multi-pronged approach to gather evidence, focusing on forensic analysis of financial records and digital communications. The objective is to establish a clear understanding of the operational methodology of the fraud network and to bring all perpetrators to justice. The investigation is continuing with further inquiries planned.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
