SHIMLA: The special investigation team (SIT) of Himachal Pradesh Police has arrested seven persons in a case of cryptocurrency fraud. They allegedly lured unsuspecting victims into a crypto-currency related pyramid scheme. The accused persons were found to have distinct roles within the criminal operation. All the seven accused persons have been remanded in police custody for 10 days.
According to DGP Sanjay Kundu, one of them was responsible for managing the back-end office activities, including maintaining databases, coordinating communications, and overseeing the technical aspects of the fraudulent schemes.
He said that another individual was found to be managing the financial transactions related to the scheme, handling the inflow and outflow of funds. The investigation is underway, with a focus on gathering evidence and tracing the money trail to bring all those involved to justice, he added.
The SIT has requested the public to remain vigilant and exercise caution while encountering investment opportunities, particularly in the crypto space. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation, it said.
The SIT had on October 7 conducted searches at 35 locations, seven districts and one police district of Himachal Pradesh, besides Punjab and Chandigarh. Searches had yielded crucial evidence, including incriminating documents, property records, mobile phones, and other digital devices. The police had also seized vehicles and obtained various details related to the proceeds of the crime. Before this, the SIT had arrested two main accused persons – Hemraj and Sukhdev of Mandi district – from Gujarat.
The crypto-currency scam first came to notice during the monsoon session of the state assembly when Independent MLA from Dehra, Hoshyar Singh, raised the issue in the House by saying that the scams worth Rs 200 crore in Hamirpur, Rs 100 crore in Una, and between Rs 200 to Rs 250 crore in Kangra district have surfaced. After this, deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri had announced in the assembly to constitute the SIT to probe the matter.
On September 26, the SIT headed by Abhishek Dullar, DIG (Northern Range Dharamshala) comprising 13 members was formed to investigate the cases related to crypto-currency scam. The SIT has been directed to look into the bigger conspiracy with respect to crypto currency in the state and has also been directed to carry out professional and impartial investigation, including financial probe of the cases related to crypto currency.
According to DGP Sanjay Kundu, one of them was responsible for managing the back-end office activities, including maintaining databases, coordinating communications, and overseeing the technical aspects of the fraudulent schemes.
He said that another individual was found to be managing the financial transactions related to the scheme, handling the inflow and outflow of funds. The investigation is underway, with a focus on gathering evidence and tracing the money trail to bring all those involved to justice, he added.
The SIT has requested the public to remain vigilant and exercise caution while encountering investment opportunities, particularly in the crypto space. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation, it said.
The SIT had on October 7 conducted searches at 35 locations, seven districts and one police district of Himachal Pradesh, besides Punjab and Chandigarh. Searches had yielded crucial evidence, including incriminating documents, property records, mobile phones, and other digital devices. The police had also seized vehicles and obtained various details related to the proceeds of the crime. Before this, the SIT had arrested two main accused persons – Hemraj and Sukhdev of Mandi district – from Gujarat.
Expand
On September 26, the SIT headed by Abhishek Dullar, DIG (Northern Range Dharamshala) comprising 13 members was formed to investigate the cases related to crypto-currency scam. The SIT has been directed to look into the bigger conspiracy with respect to crypto currency in the state and has also been directed to carry out professional and impartial investigation, including financial probe of the cases related to crypto currency.
Credit: Source link