THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi/Dhanbad, August 1: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Ranchi, today arrested a cyber-criminal Sameer Ansari of the Jharia area of Dhanbad involved in an investment scam conducted through a fake trading application AQR Pro, which was installed via advertisements received on Instagram.
This action followed the investigation of Cyber Crime Police Station Case No. 179/24, registered on July 27, 2024, under sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 471, and 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code, along with sections 66(B), 66(C), and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.
How a lady from Ranchi was trapped?
According to a press release issued by the CID, the case originated from a written complaint lodged by a Ranchi lady concerning a fraudulent scheme amounting to Rs 39.31 lakhs.
She joined a WhatsApp group after clicking on an advertisement posted on Instagram. There, she was persuaded to install a fake trading application where the fraudsters operated various trading schemes. Initially, she invested small amounts and received returns, but later, she could only see her virtual profits on the application, which could never be redeemed.
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Leveraging technical and financial analysis of the criminal trails, the CID, Jharkhand arrested the cyber-criminal, Sameer Ansari, of the Jharia area of Dhanbad, Jharkhand. He collaborated with his associate based in Thailand to commit the crime.
Modus Operandi
According to the press release, the victim was enticed with an investment opportunity via WhatsApp group “N-Wisdom in stock-AQR 170”, which she joined through Instagram advertisement.
Subsequently, she was directed to install a fraudulent investment application AQR Pro where different investment programs like “Eagle Eye Trading”, OTC, OFS- For IPOs where she was convinced to invest.
Following registration, the victim was instructed to transfer funds into multiple bank accounts provided to her through WhatsApp channels Virtual profits were shown on the phishing website which were illusory and irredeemable.
Consequently, she fell victim to the scam, losing a staggering sum of Rs 39.31 lakh.
Ansari’s interrogation and investigation uncovered that Aadhar and PAN cards were utilized to open bank accounts which he supplied to his associate who is also from Dhanbad but is based in Thailand now for committing the crime.
How was he arrested?
The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Dhanbad, getting information from the CID, arrested the notorious cyber fraud at the Dhanbad Rail station before he fled to Kolkata.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Neha Bala, Dhanbad GRP, launched a combing operation at the railway station on Wednesday night and nabbed Samir Ansari while boarding in Kalka Mail for Howrah.
Cyber fraud planned to flee to Sri Lanka
The arrested cybercriminal, during interrogation, said that he had planned to escape to Sri Lanka via Kolkata- Chennai. The Dhanbad GRP handed over him to Ranchi police Inspector Manoj Kumar Roy.
