2024.5.25, The Special Investigation Team of the Criminal Investigation Department, probing the alleged bitcoin scam, has arrested Robin Khandelwal in a case registered at New Extension police station in Tumakuru. He is said to be a close associate of hacker Srikrishna Ramesh alias Sriki, the key accused in the alleged scam.
Bitcoin scam: SIT arrests Robin Kandelwal, invokes KCOCA
He is said to be a close associate of hacker Srikrishna Ramesh alias Sriki, the key accused in the alleged scam
The Special Investigation Team of the Criminal Investigation Department, probing the alleged bitcoin scam, has arrested Robin Khandelwal in a case registered at New Extension police station in Tumakuru. He is said to be a close associate of hacker Srikrishna Ramesh alias Sriki, the key accused in the alleged scam.
Sources in the SIT said the sleuths picked him up from a North Indian State. Sriki was arrested from a plush hotel in Ganganagar, Bengaluru, on May 7. He is now in judicial custody.
Meanwhile, the SIT has now booked accused Khandelwal and hacker Sriki under the draconian Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act 2000. The duo has cases of hacking government websites and hacking and stealing bitcoins in different police stations in Karnataka.
In 2017, based on a complaint filed by Harish B.V., Director of Unocoin Technologies Private Limited, a case was registered against unknown persons. The complaint alleged that some unknown persons hacked into the database of the company and stole 60.6 bitcoins. One coin was worth ₹1,67,481 when they were stolen.
The sources in the SIT said that after Sriki stole the coins, Khandelwal converted them into money. The accused, Khandelwal, was allegedly converting, laundering, and trading cryptocurrency for Sriki for a long time after they came into contact through an internet platform. Sources say that Khandelwal also transferred money to the accounts of Sriki’s friends.
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比特币骗局：SIT 逮捕 Robin Kandelwal，援引 KCOCA
据称，他是黑客 Srikrishna Ramesh（别名 Sriki）的亲密伙伴，后者是涉嫌诈骗案的主要被告
负责调查比特币诈骗案的刑事调查部特别调查组已逮捕了罗宾·坎德尔瓦尔 (Robin Khandelwal)，此案由图马库鲁新扩展警察局立案。据称，他是黑客斯里克里什纳·拉梅什 (Srikrishna Ramesh，别名 Sriki) 的亲密伙伴，斯里克里什纳·拉梅什是这起诈骗案的主要嫌疑人。
特别调查局的消息人士称，侦探们从印度北部的一个邦抓获了他。5 月 7 日，斯里基在班加罗尔甘加纳加尔的一家豪华酒店被捕。他目前被司法拘留。
与此同时，特别调查局已经根据严苛的《卡纳塔克邦有组织犯罪控制法》2000 逮捕了被告 Khandelwal 和黑客 Sriki。这两人曾在卡纳塔克邦的不同警察局内犯下入侵政府网站以及入侵和窃取比特币的罪行。
2024.5.25, Fake parcel scam is becoming a growing cyber concern of India. In the last few months many Indians have lost lakhs and crores in this online scam. The scam involves reaching out to victims through social media platforms and extortion through fake calls claiming digital arrests by fake law officers. In a decisive move to combat the escalating parcel scam, the Indian government has started a series of actions aimed at curbing this fraudulent activity and protecting its citizens.
Govt starts action against parcel scam, urges citizens to report suspected calls on cyber crime website
The Indian government has launched a series of actions to combat the rising parcel scam, urging citizens to report suspicious calls on the cyber crime website.
In Short
Indian government initiates actions to tackle the growing parcel scam
I4C and DoT collaborate to block spoof calls and prevent misuse of official logos
Public urged to report suspicious calls and follow safety measures outlined by MHA
Fake parcel scam is becoming a growing cyber concern of India. In the last few months many Indians have lost lakhs and crores in this online scam. The scam involves reaching out to victims through social media platforms and extortion through fake calls claiming digital arrests by fake law officers. In a decisive move to combat the escalating parcel scam, the Indian government has started a series of actions aimed at curbing this fraudulent activity and protecting its citizens.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the Department of Telecom (DoT) have joined forces to block spoof calls originating from outside India, reports Economic Times. These calls often impersonate officials from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and other law enforcement agencies. Additionally, I4C is collaborating with Microsoft to prevent the misuse of official logos by scammers, a tactic frequently used by scammers to fake credibility to their fraudulent claims.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation Rajesh Kumar CEO of I4C said, “Many cases have come to light in which the caller, claiming to be from the police or law enforcement agencies, asserts a digital arrest and extorts money. The victim is contacted via a normal call from an Indian number, and call spoofing is used to pose as personnel from CBI, RBI, NIA, or banks. Thousands of Skype IDs have been created impersonating Indian agencies. I4C has proactively reported 1,500 Skype IDs to Microsoft.”
Modus Operandi of the Parcel Scam
The scam typically starts with a call to the victim from what appears to be an Indian number. These scammers reach out to victims through social media platforms like WhatsApp or call on the mobile number. Using call spoofing technology, the scammers disguise their identity, posing as officials from various enforcement agencies. The victims are informed that a parcel in their name contains illegal items such as drugs, fake passports, or other contraband. In some cases, the scammers claim that a relative of the victim is in custody due to involvement in a crime or an accident.
Once the victim is threatened and falls for the scammer’s words, the scammers demand money to resolve the fabricated case. They employ various channels for money extortion, including international fund transfers, physical gold, cryptocurrency, and ATM withdrawals. Some victims are even subjected to a “digital arrest,” where they are required to remain on video calls with the scammers until the payment is made.
The MHA has also noted that these scams often involve well-organised crime syndicates operating from abroad. These syndicates go to great lengths to appear legitimate, using studios designed to look like police stations and government offices, complete with uniforms.
Government urges citizens to report scam
Meanwhile, In response the government is urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious calls or messages. “Citizens should report fraudulent phone numbers, WhatsApp identities, or URLs on the cybercrime website. This can be done under the ‘suspect data’ section. Additionally, phone numbers can be verified on the website from the ‘suspect repository data,” said Kumar emphasising the importance of public awareness.
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印度政府推出一系列行动打击日益猖獗的包裹诈骗案，呼吁公民向网络犯罪网站举报可疑电话。
假包裹诈骗正在成为印度日益严重的网络问题。在过去几个月中，许多印度人因这种网络诈骗损失了数十万甚至上千万卢比。这种诈骗通过社交媒体平台联系受害者，并通过虚假电话勒索，声称被假执法人员逮捕。为了打击日益猖獗的包裹诈骗，印度政府采取了果断措施，采取了一系列行动，旨在遏制这种欺诈活动并保护其公民。
2024.5.24, In a significant rescue operation, the Indian Embassy in Cambodia successfully repatriated the first batch of 60 Indian nationals who had fallen victim to fraudulent job offers. The embassy, in collaboration with Cambodian authorities, rescued these individuals from a location called Jinbei-4 on May 20, 2024. Their return on May 23, 2024 marks a crucial step in addressing the growing issue of job scams targeting Indians abroad.
60 Indians rescued from job scam in Cambodia return home
The Indian Embassy has been proactive in issuing advisories to caution Indians seeking employment in Cambodia
In a significant rescue operation, the Indian Embassy in Cambodia successfully repatriated the first batch of 60 Indian nationals who had fallen victim to fraudulent job offers. The embassy, in collaboration with Cambodian authorities, rescued these individuals from a location called Jinbei-4 on May 20, 2024. Their return on May 23, 2024 marks a crucial step in addressing the growing issue of job scams targeting Indians abroad.
The operation, conducted with the help of local authorities in Sihanoukville, involved meticulous planning and coordination. The rescued individuals were initially transferred from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, where the Indian Embassy provided necessary travel documents and other logistical support to facilitate their journey back home.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), the Indian Embassy in Cambodia expressed its commitment to helping Indian nationals in distress. “Always committed to helping Indians abroad. First batch of 60 Indian nationals rescued by the Indian Embassy in Cambodia from fraudulent employers returned home. Thank the Cambodian authorities for their support,” the embassy stated.
The embassy also mentioned that the matter had been escalated to the highest levels of Cambodian authorities to ensure the immediate repatriation of the affected individuals. A temporary control room was set up in Sihanoukville for three days (May 21-23) to provide on-ground assistance to any other Indian nationals facing difficulties.
The Indian Embassy has been proactive in issuing advisories to caution Indians seeking employment in Cambodia. These advisories urge nationals to secure jobs only through authorized agents approved by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and warn against using tourist visas for employment purposes. The embassy has also advised against engaging in illegal activities, such as cybercrimes, and encouraged individuals to contact the embassy or Cambodian hotline numbers if they need help.
The Government of India remains dedicated to extending all possible help to Indian nationals trapped in scam centers by unscrupulous elements. To date, over 360 Indian nationals have been rescued or repatriated to India through the embassy’s intervention. This latest batch of 60 individuals is part of ongoing efforts to combat job scams and ensure the safety of Indian citizens abroad.
The rescue operation in Cambodia is part of a broader effort by the Indian government to tackle the rise in cybercrime incidents originating from Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. The Union government recently constituted a high-level inter-ministerial committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs to address this issue. This committee includes officials from various ministries, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and the Department of Post, among others.
Victims of these scams are often lured to Cambodia with promises of lucrative job offers, only to have their passports confiscated and be forced into online scams targeting people in India. These scams involve communication platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook, Google Ads, and other fake apps. Many of these individuals are coerced into participating in these scams under the threat of violence or further exploitation.
The Indian Embassy’s efforts have been crucial in rescuing these individuals. Recently, 150 victims, mostly from Andhra Pradesh, protested at a suspected scam compound in Sihanoukville, demanding the return of their passports. While 60 of these individuals are set to be repatriated, the remaining 90 expressed a desire to stay but sought the return of their passports.
The Indian government is working closely with Cambodian authorities to ensure the safe return of the remaining victims. On May 21, 2024, the Indian embassy in Phnom Penh issued another advisory warning Indian nationals about fraudulent job advertisements that coerce victims into illegal activities.
The rise in cybercrimes originating from Southeast Asia is a significant concern for India. Between January and April 2024, nearly 7,40,957 complaints were registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, with a significant portion originating from Southeast Asia. The Indian government, through its various agencies and international collaborations, is taking concerted action to end this menace and protect its citizens from falling prey to such scams.
The successful repatriation of 60 Indian nationals from Cambodia is a testament to the Indian government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad. Continued vigilance, awareness campaigns, and international cooperation are essential in combating the growing threat of job scams and cybercrimes. The Indian embassy in Cambodia, along with other government agencies, remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian nationals working overseas.
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Cambodia job scam: Trafficked Telugu youth tortured, not given food for days for ‘under performance’ in cyber fraud
Handlers in Cambodia had served only one meal a day to the Indian youth who were trafficked, and sometimes they went empty- stomach for days for ‘under performance’ in cyber fraud.
On Monday, as many as 300 Indians revolted on a large scale against their handlers in Cambodia, causing large-scale riots in Jinbei Compound, Sihanoukville, Cambodia, which is the hub of cybercrime fraud factories. A large section of them requested that Indian authorities look into their fate and safely repatriate to India.
Following these arrests, many people called up Vizag City police WhatsApp numbers and sent videos.
Vizag police commissioner Ravi Shankar Ayyanar received around 15 youth belonging to Vizag and other surrounding areas repatriated with the help of the Indian Embassy.
Around 115 individuals from Andhra Pradesh fell into Cambodia’s clutches. He said that the handlers subjected the Indian youth to torture, including confinement in a dark room and occasional beatings with a baseball bat due to their poor performance.
Handlers in Cambodia had served only one meal a day to the Indian youth who were trafficked, and sometimes they went empty- stomach for days for ‘under performance’ in cyber fraud.
“In our preliminary interactions with those who returned today we understood that each of them paid around Rs 1.5 lakh to a local agent for a data entry job and went to Cambodia. Once in Cambodia, these young individuals found themselves compelled to participate in cyber scams in India, such as the Fed X scam and the stock market frauds. They were also given targets. They would not receive food if they underperformed for several days in a row. They had to starve or eat only one meal a day. If their performance was commendable, they received a daily meal and occasionally even attended parties,” Vizag city police commissioner Ravi Shankar Ayyanar said on Friday that underperformers sometimes face punishments such as confinement to dark rooms and beatings with a baseball bat.
They receive training to handle specialized cybercrimes against Indian citizens, including FedEx scams, stock market scams, task game scams, and various other types.
Police a few days ago arrested the local agents Chukka Rajesh Vijay Kumar, Mannena Gnaneswara Rao, and Sabbavarapu Kondala Rao, who had recruited local youth. These agents provided the names of the youths who arrived in Cambodia.
For a year, traffickers from Vizag and the surrounding area forced around 115 youth to commit cybercrime by putting them under duress.
The Indian embassy in Cambodia took to X to inform us that the first batch of 60 Indian nationals rescued by the embassy from fraudulent employers have now returned home.
“Always committed to helping Indians abroad. The first batch of 60 Indian nationals rescued by the Indian Embassy in Cambodia from fraudulent employers returned home. Thank the Cambodian authorities for their support,” said the Indian Embassy in Cambodia on X.
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60 名在柬埔寨被骗工作获救的印度人已回国
在一次重大救援行动中，印度驻柬埔寨大使馆成功遣返了第一批 60 名成为欺诈性工作机会受害者的印度国民。2024 年 5 月 20 日，大使馆与柬埔寨当局合作，从一个名为 Jinbei-4 的地方救出了这些人。他们于 2024 年 5 月 23 日返回，标志着解决针对海外印度人日益严重的工作诈骗问题迈出了关键一步。
此次行动是在西哈努克当地政府的帮助下进行的，涉及细致的规划和协调。获救人员最初从西哈努克转移到金边，印度大使馆在那里提供了必要的旅行证件和其他后勤支持，以方便他们回国。
2024.5.23, Analysis of data by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has revealed that around 7,000 cyber-related complaints on average are registered with the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) daily and most of the frauds have origin in three Southeast Asian countries — Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.
Southeast Asia origin of at least 45% cyber frauds targeting Indians… can’t rule out China connection: Official
Over 5,000 Indians are suspected of being stuck in Cambodia and forced to carry out cyber frauds. According to government estimates, people in India have been duped of at least Rs 500 crore in the past six months.
Analysis of data by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has revealed that around 7,000 cyber-related complaints on average are registered with the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) daily and most of the frauds have origin in three Southeast Asian countries — Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.
“We have found that many web applications used to commit the crime are written in Mandarin, so we cannot rule out China connection,” Chief Executive Officer (I4C) Rajesh Kumar said on Wednesday.
“I4C has observed a significant rise in the number of cybercrime incidents targeting India, and about 45% of them originate from the Southeast Asian region, mainly Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos PDR,” he said.
Data compiled by the NCRP shows that there were 7.4 lakh complaints till April 30 this year; while there were 15.56 lakh complaints in 2023, 9.66 lakh in 2022, 4.52 in 2021, 2.57 in 2020, and 26,049 in 2019. “There are four types of scams — digital arrest, trading scam, investment scam (task based) and romance/dating scam. We found that Indians lost Rs 120.30 crore in digital arrest, Rs 1,420.48 crore in trading scam, Rs 222.58 crore in investment scam, and Rs 13.23 crore in romance/dating scam,” he said.
According to Kumar, cyber crime operations based in these countries employ a comprehensive array of deceptive strategies, including recruitment efforts by exploiting social media to lure Indians with fake employment opportunities. “These individuals are then compelled to engage in various cyber scams; investment scams, pig butchering scams, trading app scams, dating scams, often communicating via messaging platforms using Indian SIM cards to target Indians,” he added.
Kumar has claimed that according to open-source information, China was also a victim of such scams and around 44,000 Chinese nationals were brought back from these countries.
As reported by The Indian Express on March 28, over 5,000 Indians are suspected of being stuck in Cambodia and forced to carry out cyber fraud. According to government estimates, people in India have been duped of at least Rs 500 crore in the past six months.
The Andhra Pradesh Police recently arrested three local agents after some Indian nationals employed in a cybercrime suspected scam compound in Sihanouk City Cambodia protested. “The Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh has taken steps for their safety and 360 Indians are being sent back while some 60 people have been arrested by the local police. The Indian government is in touch with the Cambodian government for repatriating the rest of the Indians stuck there and being forced into cybercrimes,” he said.
On May 16, a high level inter-ministerial committee under the chairpersonship of Special Secretary (Internal Security) was constituted to coordinate with relevant ministries and departments for implementing comprehensive measures aimed at mitigating cybercrime originating from Southeast Asia,” he said.
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46% of cyber frauds in India originate in Southeast Asia
NEW DELHI: Jamtara and Mewat have been upstaged as hotspots of financial cyber fraud in India, with 46% of defrauded money now lost to cybercrimes like investment scams, digital arrest scams, trading scams and dating scams originating in southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Myanmar and Lao PDR.
Organised cybercrime gangs, according to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) CEO Rajesh Kumar, are operating ‘corporate style’ from compounds in these countries, hiring Indian job-seekers through illegal recruitment agents and then compelling them to defraud fellow citizens in India.
Between January and April this year, Rs 1,420 crore was lost to 62,587 investment scams, Rs 222 crore to 20,043 trading scams, Rs 120 crore to 4,600 digital arrest scams and Rs 13 crore to 1,725 romance/dating scams originating from southeast Asia, the I4C chief shared on Wednesday. In 2023, more than 1 lakh investment scams originating from southeast Asia were reported on the national cybercrime reporting portal and 10,000 FIRs registered.
Not ruling out China’s involvement in these scams, Kumar said Chinese people were known to work in the scam compounds of southeast Asia and many of the suspected apps used for the cyberfrauds were also written in Chinese.
Amid an overall increase in big ticket frauds reported in 2024, with over 6 lakh complaints involving a total amount of Rs 7,061 crore received on the national cybercrime reporting portal, I4C has intervened to save Rs 812.7 crore from being defrauded. Collaboration between I4C and law enforcement agencies has helped debit-freeze 3.2 lakh mule accounts in last four months, get more than 3,000 URLs and 595 apps blocked under Information Technology Act and 5.3 lakh SIM cards and over 80,000 IMEI numbers suspended since July 2023. Also, 3,401 cases of unlawful content have been taken down from social media, websites and WhatsApp in last two months.
Indians who are lured to southeast Asia’s organised cybercrime factories with fake jobs advertised by illegal recruiters — detected in states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Delhi — are pushed into defrauding unsuspecting victims in India through social media advertisements and messaging promising quick financial gains on their investments or through gaming, digital arrests where the cyber offenders pose as as a law enforcement personnel; or romance/dating scams. “These gangs work in an organised manner, from scam compounds…many of them were linked to casinos earlier,” said Kumar.
The illicit gains from these cybercrime activities originating in southeast Asia are laundered through sophisticated financial channels including Indian bank accounts, cryptocurrency transactions, cash withdrawals, etc, he added.
In May this year, Visakhapatnam cybercrime police had arrested three illegal recruitment agents who were sending gullible youth to Cambodia. Similar arrests were carried out in Odisha as well. The India embassy in Phnom Penh has been ensuring the well-being of Indian citizens hired by these agents. Around 360 Indians were brought back from these compounds and 60 more will return soon.
The govt had earlier this month set up an inter-ministerial committee comprising various law enforcement and intelligence agencies to tackle the recent ‘spurt’ in transnational organised cyber crimes being launched against Indians from southeast Asian countries.
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内政部 (MHA) 下属部门印度网络犯罪协调中心 (I4C) 的数据分析显示，国家网络犯罪报告门户 (NCRP) 每天平均登记约 7,000 起与网络相关的投诉，大多数欺诈起源于三个东南亚国家——柬埔寨、缅甸和老挝。
I4C 首席执行官拉杰什·库马尔周三表示：“我们发现许多用于犯罪的网络应用程序都是用普通话编写的，因此我们不能排除与中国有联系。”
他说：“I4C 发现针对印度的网络犯罪事件数量显著增加，其中约 45% 来自东南亚地区，主要是柬埔寨、缅甸和老挝人民民主共和国。”
库马尔称，这些国家的网络犯罪活动采用了一系列欺骗性策略，包括利用社交媒体招募印度人，向他们提供虚假的就业机会。“这些人随后被迫参与各种网络诈骗，包括投资诈骗、杀猪诈骗、交易应用程序诈骗、约会诈骗，他们经常使用印度 SIM 卡通过消息平台进行交流，以印度人为目标，”他补充道。
库马尔称，根据公开信息，中国也是此类骗局的受害者，约有44,000名中国公民从这些国家被遣返回国。
2024.5.22, A resident of Shalimar Bagh, Northwest Delhi, has become the latest victim of an online scam after joining a WhatsApp group. The victim fell prey to a sophisticated scheme in which the scammer lured him into investing over Rs 1 crore through a WhatsApp group. The group, posing as an investment research platform, slowly gained the victim’s trust before exploiting his desire for high returns.
Delhi man loses Rs 1 crore in a new WhatsApp Stock market investment group scam
A sophisticated investment scam has claimed another victim in Delhi, where scammers used a realistic web interface to lure a man into investing over Rs 1 crore.
In Short
The victim joined a WhatsApp group posing as an investment research platform
He was lured in investing Rs 50,000 for high returns
The victim ended up investing a total of Rs 1.13 crore over 55 days.
A resident of Shalimar Bagh, Northwest Delhi, has become the latest victim of an online scam after joining a WhatsApp group. The victim fell prey to a sophisticated scheme in which the scammer lured him into investing over Rs 1 crore through a WhatsApp group. The group, posing as an investment research platform, slowly gained the victim’s trust before exploiting his desire for high returns.
According to TOI, the victim was contacted by an unknown individual on WhatsApp and offered a stock market investment scheme promising hefty returns. He was later added to a WhatsApp group claiming to be an offline investment research group. This group, consisting of around 150 members, provided stock market tips to gain the trust of the participants.
To build credibility with the victim, the scammers offered a few profitable investment tips, which encouraged him to invest a modest initial amount of Rs 50,000 on January 19. Seeing initial positive returns, the victim was gradually convinced to invest more money. However, as the victim continued to invest, his funds became increasingly difficult to withdraw.
The scammers began demanding additional payments under various pretexts, ostensibly to secure the withdrawal of his investments. Over a period of 55 days, the victim ended up investing a total of Rs 1.13 crore just to withdraw his gains. Throughout this period, all transactions were conducted online, and a web page was used to display the victim’s supposed investments and profits, which falsely showed a total of Rs 7.4 crore.
What is this WhatsApp group scam?
This scam falls under the category of an investment scam, specifically a type of Ponzi scheme. The scammers first gained the victim’s trust with small, genuine-looking returns and then progressively trapped him with larger investments. In this case, the scam was sophisticated, involving the creation of a realistic web interface that displayed fake profits to further convince the victim of the legitimacy of the investment.
The scammers manipulated the victim by exploiting his trust, encouraging him to invest more money in the hope of recovering the already invested funds. The difficulty in withdrawing funds and the additional payment demands were also part of a strategy to maximise the financial damage before the victim realised the fraud.
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德里男子在 WhatsApp 股票市场投资集团的新骗局中损失 1 千万卢比
德里又有一名受害者遭遇了一起精心策划的投资骗局，骗子利用逼真的网络界面诱骗一名男子投资超过 1 千万卢比。
德里西北部沙利马尔巴格 (Shalimar Bagh) 的一名居民在加入 WhatsApp 群组后成为网络诈骗的最新受害者。受害者落入了一个复杂的骗局，骗子通过 WhatsApp 群组诱骗他投资超过 1 千万卢比。该群组伪装成投资研究平台，慢慢赢得了受害者的信任，然后利用了受害者对高回报的渴望。
2024.5.21, Recently, a housewife and a businesswoman were duped of Rs 28.51 lakh and Rs 24.36 lakh respectively, between January and April this year in Mumbai. The housewife was promised lucrative returns for subscribing to certain videos.
Mumbai women lose Rs 53 lakh to ‘task fraud’: Latest scam decoded
In a ‘task scam’, fraudsters pose as representatives of reputable companies, offering seemingly easy remote work opportunities
“Hello, I’ve a job opportunity for you. I would like to offer you a part-time job. This is a simple job and you are not required to pay any joining fee. And you can earn Rs 150-5,000 in a day in your account.”
If you’ve come across a message like this on WhatsApp, Telegram, or even a regular text message, you might have been a target of the ‘task fraud’ scam. This fraudulent scheme has been on the rise since 2023, preying on victims through online messaging platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp.
Recently, a housewife and a businesswoman were duped of Rs 28.51 lakh and Rs 24.36 lakh respectively, between January and April this year in Mumbai. The housewife was promised lucrative returns for subscribing to certain videos.
Fraud type: Task scam
Total amount: Approx Rs 53 lakh
Modus operandi
1.Initial contact: The victim receives a message offering an attractive part-time job.
2.Initial tasks: Victims are asked to complete simple tasks, such as liking and subscribing to YouTube videos, for which they receive small payments (Rs 150-200).
3.Bigger tasks: Gradually, victims are asked to perform prepaid tasks, promising higher returns.
4.Money transfer: The housewife transferred Rs 28.51 lakh to four different bank accounts in just three days.
Similarly, a 44-year-old woman running a rental car business lost Rs 24.36 lakh after being promised handsome returns for reviewing videos and eateries. Initially, she received Rs 56,000 to gain her confidence but later ended up transferring the substantial amount into eight different bank accounts.
In February, a Pune techie, a firm manager, and six others collectively lost Rs 1.04 crore to various task fraud schemes.
What is a task scam?
In a ‘task scam’, fraudsters pose as representatives of reputable companies, offering seemingly easy remote work opportunities. These offers often involve unrealistic returns on investments or simple tasks like watching videos, filling out forms, or writing reviews. The scammers initially pay small amounts to build trust, then persuade the victims to invest larger sums, promising bigger returns. Eventually, the victims realise they’ve been scammed when the fraudsters disappear.
How it works
1.Attractive job offer: Victim receives a message about a part-time job.
2.Simple tasks: Initial tasks involve trivial activities, for which small payments are made.
3.Trust building: Small amounts are credited to gain the victim’s trust.
4.Larger tasks: Victims are directed to a Telegram handle for bigger tasks with supposedly high returns.
5.Increased fees: Over time, the fee requirements and number of tasks increase.
6.Investment demand: Victims are encouraged to invest more money for “prepaid tasks” promising higher earnings.
7.Scammers disappear: After substantial investments, scammers vanish, leaving victims with financial losses.
Who are targeted?
“Usually people in their mid-20s to late 60s are targeted. Though data is limited, these scams are rampant in densely populated urban areas. Mostly, people from the middle-class income group, especially those with disposable income to invest, fall prey,” explained Pooja Shimpi, founder of SyberNow, in a LinkedIn post.
The scale of the scam
Task frauds have caused significant financial losses across India. For instance, Pune residents have lost Rs 27.23 crore in task frauds since March 2023, according to the Cyber Cell of Pune city police. Bengaluru police reported a staggering Rs 470 crore lost to fraudsters in nine months of 2023. In Delhi, January 2023 alone saw 30,000 people defrauded of Rs 200 crore.
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孟买女性因“任务欺诈”损失530万卢比：最新骗局破译
在“任务骗局”中，诈骗者冒充知名公司的代表，提供看似轻松的远程工作机会
“您好，我有一个工作机会给您。我想为您提供一份兼职工作。这是一份简单的工作，您无需支付任何入会费。而且您每天可以在您的账户中赚取 150-5,000 卢比。”
如果您在 WhatsApp、Telegram 甚至普通短信上看到过类似的消息，那么您可能已成为“任务欺诈”骗局的目标。这种欺诈计划自 2023 年以来一直在增加，通过 Telegram 和 WhatsApp 等在线消息平台对受害者进行诈骗。
最近，今年1月至4月期间，孟买一名家庭主妇和一名女商人分别被骗285.1万卢比和243.6万卢比。这位家庭主妇因订阅某些视频而被承诺获得丰厚的回报。
2024.5.21, The Delhi Police recently busted a gang of cyber-fraudsters and arrested nine people for allegedly impersonating stock market experts and cheating four people of nearly Rs 2.38 crore, officials said on Monday. The accused allegedly lured the victims to invest money through a trading app to get ‘high returns’.
Stock market trading scam busted in Delhi, 9 held
The fraudsters used 25 different beneficiary bank accounts to collect money from the victims.
The Delhi Police recently busted a gang of cyber-fraudsters and arrested nine people for allegedly impersonating stock market experts and cheating four people of nearly Rs 2.38 crore, officials said on Monday. The accused allegedly lured the victims to invest money through a trading app to get ‘high returns’.
The case came to light on January 17 when Vishal Sodhi, a resident of Uttam Nagar in West Delhi, filed a complaint with the Delhi Police Special Cell saying he had been duped off nearly Rs 60 lakh via a trading app. During the investigation, it was revealed that other people had also fallen prey to these fraudsters, the police said.
According to the victims’ complaints, they were added to a WhatsApp group where they received online tutorials on investing in the stock market for high returns. They were allegedly persuaded to invest in multiple companies and invested Rs 2.38 crore, collectively. The fraudsters used 25 different beneficiary bank accounts to collect money from the victims, the police said.
A special team of officials, led by Inspector Satish Kumar and supervised by Assistant Commissioner of Police Sanjeev Kumar, was formed to catch the accused. Through technical surveillance and digital tracking, the police arrested Munish Sharma, 37, who had allegedly been using a cellphone that was also used in duping the victims. He was also logged into a Gmail account linked to one of the 25 bank accounts, the police said.
During questioning, Sharma allegedly revealed the role of eight of his accomplices. All of them have been arrested, the police said. The nine accused, including Sharma, Gaurav Kumar, 34, Vikas Bansal, 52, and Tushar Garg, 30, allegedly targeted economically vulnerable people, convincing them to open bank accounts in exchange for commission.
“They would collect the victims’ Aadhaar, PAN and other KYC documents and then create bogus firms in their names…,” explained Hemant Tiwari, deputy commissioner of police at Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (Special Cell). “Bansal and his associates have created more than 400 bogus firms as well as opened over 400 current bank accounts linked to these firms. The accused use these accounts to siphon off money,” Tiwari added.
The bank credentials, including ATM and SIM cards linked to these accounts, were also sold to the counterparts of the accused in Dubai for more cyber frauds, the police claimed, adding that further investigation is underway.
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官员周一表示，德里警方最近破获了一个网络诈骗团伙，并逮捕了 9 人，罪名是涉嫌冒充股市专家并诈骗 4 人近 23.8 千万卢比。据称，被告通过交易应用程序引诱受害者投资，以获得“高额回报”。
2024.5.16, The Dewan Housing Finance Corporation (DHFL), a prominent housing finance company in India, has been embroiled in a massive financial scandal worth over Rs 34,000 crore (approximately $4.3 billion). The scam involved accusations of loan fraud, money laundering, and a web of fake borrowers and shell companies.
DHFL scam: CBI arrests Dheeraj Wadhawan in ₹34,000-crore bank fraud
The former director of DHFL and his brother Kapil were earlier arrested in the case in on July 19, 2022
May 14, 2024
The CBI has arrested former DHFL Director Dheeraj Wadhawan in connection with the alleged defrauding of a 17-member lender bank consortium to the tune of ₹34,000 crore, officials said on May 14.
Mr. Wadhawan, arrested from Mumbai on Monday night, was produced before a special court in New Delhi which remanded him in judicial custody on Tuesday, they said.
The former director of DHFL and his brother Kapil were earlier arrested in the case in on July 19, 2022, they said.
The agency had filed a charge sheet against 75 entities including Kapil and Dheeraj on October 15, 2022.
They were granted “statutory” bail from the special court on December 3, 2022, on the grounds that the investigation was incomplete and the charge sheet filed was piecemeal. This order was upheld by the Delhi High Court as well.
The CBI had challenged the order in the Supreme Court, which set aside the bail orders noting that the Special Court as well as the High Court “committed serious error of law” in disregarding the legal position enunciated and settled by the apex court.
In the meanwhile, Dheeraj Wadhawan got interim bail in a separate matter on medical grounds from the Bombay High Court as he was admitted at the Lilavati Hospital for treatment. The Bombay High Court had regularised the bail in that case on May 2 this year and had also extended his protection from CBI arrest for one week.
The CBI arrested Mr. Wadhawan after the protection period was over, they said.
At present, three accused are in judicial custody — Dheeraj Wadhawan and his brother Kapil Wadhawan and Ajay Nawandar.
The CBI had booked the Wadhawans and others on a complaint from the Union Bank of India, the leader of the 17-member lender consortium that had extended credit facilities to DHFL to the tune of ₹42,871 crore between 2010 and 2018.
The agency in its charge sheet has alleged that Kapil and Dheeraj Wadhawan, in a criminal conspiracy with others, misrepresented and concealed facts, committed a criminal breach of trust and abused public funds to cheat the consortium to the tune of ₹34,615 crore by defaulting on loan repayments from May 2019 onwards.
The CBI has alleged that the company committed financial irregularities, diverted funds, fabricated books and round-tripped funds to “create assets for Kapil and Dheeraj Wadhawan” using public money.
DHFL loan accounts were declared non-performing assets at different points of time by lender banks, the officials said.
When DHFL was hit by investigation in January 2019 after media reports on allegations of siphoning off funds surfaced, the lender banks held a meeting on February 1, 2019, and appointed KPMG to conduct a “special review audit” of DHFL from April 1, 2015, to December 31, 2018.
The audit pointed to the diversion of funds in the garb of loans and advances to related and interconnected entities and individuals of DHFL and its directors.
The scrutiny of account books showed that 66 entities having commonalities with DHFL promoters were disbursed ₹29,100 crore against which ₹29,849 crore remained outstanding, the CBI has alleged.
Most of the transactions of such entities and individuals were in the nature of investments in land and properties, it has alleged.
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DHFL scam, simplified: Here’s all about the Dheeraj Wadhawan case — allegedly India’s biggest banking loan fraud ever
May 15 2024
As long as there exists money, there will exist illegal hoarding. Today, Dheeraj and Kapil Wadhawan are facing fresh arrests by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for yet another alleged bank scam. The brothers, who are the primary promoters of Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd. (DHFL), have been connected to a bank fraud case to the tune of Rs 34,000 crores.
As more developments emerge on the biggest bank scam in Indian history, here’s a run-down into what happened.
What is DHFL?
The Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd., or Piramal Capital and Housing Finance Limited as it is called now, is essentially a financial service company, whose primary function comprises issuing home loans to lower and middle-income Indian groups. DHFL is considered one of the earliest housing lenders in India and boasts a place among the country’s biggest financial companies.
The Wadhawan brothers commanded important roles on DHFL’s board, with Kapil being the Chairman and Managing Director, while Dheeraj was the non-executive Director of the company.
What happened?
In 2022, the officials of the Union Bank of India filed a complaint against the Wadhawans and a few others, claiming that the group had conspired to cheat and forged books, among other serious allegations. In their FIR, the bank mentioned that the housing company had borrowed Rs 42,000 crores from a consortium of 17 banks (led by them), of which over Rs 34,000 crores still remained unpaid.
Eventually, auditing firm KPMG was appointed to perform a special audit of DHFL’s finances from 2016 to 2019, to assess if there had been any financial wrongdoing on the housing company’s part. What they found was shocking, to say the least.
Fake companies, fake borrowers
The audit by KPMG alleged that DHFL had fraudulently lent over Rs 29,000 crores to 66 entities that had internal ties with the company’s promoters. These funds were given willy-nilly, with the borrowers — who were mainly DHFL promoters — receiving these loans without proper scrutiny or obtaining adequate securities.
Further, CBI’s probing revealed that the DHFL’s promoters had devised 87 shell companies — companies that exist only on paper and have no active business operations — to siphon money from these loans. These promoters transferred over Rs 11,000 crores of funding to these companies as and when required, which was primarily used for personal or business use. Kapil and Dheeraj themselves purchased 24 paintings worth 63 crores using these diverted funds, reports show.
It is important to note that most of these companies did not have any ongoing projects to justify these loans — criteria which are generally heavily scrutinised before the funds are received. “No formal process of loan appraisal or assessment, security, credit committee was followed in violations of applicable DHFL credit policies,” as the Economic Times explains.
Perhaps one of the most cunning aspects of the scam was the fact that a fake “virtual branch” was added to DHFL’s software system to account for the diverted funds. This “Bandra Branch” did not have a physical office and was primarily used to feed money to these shell companies.
The CBI also explains that the Wadhawans had allegedly created lakhs of fake borrowers by randomly using information on existing home loan borrowers of DHFL. Not only were these accounts used to borrow loans aggregating upwards of Rs 14,000 crores, but they were then leveraged against the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana — a scheme to ensure housing for poorer sections — to help DHFL illegally avail Rs 1,880 crores in interest subsidy from the Government.
What’s the latest?
Dheeraj Wadhawan has been arrested by the CBI for his alleged involvement in defrauding a bank consortium of Rs 34,000 crore. He was remanded in judicial custody after being arrested from Mumbai. This follows the previous arrests of Dheeraj and his brother Kapil in July 2022.
The CBI has since filed a charge sheet against 75 entities, including the Wadhawan brothers. Despite earlier bail, the Supreme Court revoked it, citing legal errors. Dheeraj got interim bail for medical reasons but was arrested after it expired.
Currently, three individuals, including the Wadhawans, are in custody. The CBI has accused them of financial irregularities, diverting funds, and misusing public money.
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DHFL scam decoded: Fake borrowers, shell companies, and billions lost
The scam involved accusations of loan fraud, money laundering, and a web of fake borrowers and shell companies.
May 16 2024
The Dewan Housing Finance Corporation (DHFL), a prominent housing finance company in India, has been embroiled in a massive financial scandal worth over Rs 34,000 crore (approximately $4.3 billion). The scam involved accusations of loan fraud, money laundering, and a web of fake borrowers and shell companies.
Who was involved?
DHFL: A prominent Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) that provided housing loans in India. The primary function of the NBFC is to issue home loans to lower and middle-income Indian groups. DHFL is considered one of the earliest housing lenders in India.
Wadhawan brothers: Kapil and Dheeraj Wadhawan, the former founders and promoters of DHFL. The Wadhawan brothers commanded important roles on DHFL’s board, with Kapil being the Chairman and Managing Director, while Dheeraj was the non-executive Director of the company.
Multiple banks: A consortium of 17 Indian banks had loaned money to DHFL.
The Unraveling:
The cracks in DHFL’s facade began to show in 2019 when media reports surfaced alleging irregularities in loan disbursements. The allegations prompted a closer look, leading to a special audit by KPMG for the period 2016-2019. What the audit unearthed was a scheme of colossal proportions.
In 2022, the Union Bank of India, part of a consortium of 17 banks that had loaned money to DHFL, filed a First Information Report (FIR) alleging a conspiracy to cheat and manipulate financial records. The bank claimed DHFL had borrowed Rs 42,000 crore, with over Rs 34,000 crore outstanding.
A special audit by KPMG from 2016 to 2019 revealed shocking details:
Fake Borrowers, Real Fraud: At the heart of the scam lay a systematic manipulation of loan disbursements. The audit revealed that DHFL allegedly disbursed over Rs 29,000 crore to 66 entities that were connected to the company’s promoters, the Wadhawan brothers. These loans bypassed standard loan appraisal processes, lacked proper scrutiny, and often lacked adequate security. Essentially, the money was being lent to entities controlled by the promoters themselves, raising serious questions about conflict of interest and potential self-dealing.
Shell Game: The investigation further exposed a network of 87 shell companies allegedly created by the Wadhawan brothers. These companies existed only on paper, with no active business operations. Their sole purpose, investigators believe, was to siphon off funds from the fraudulently obtained loans. Over Rs 11,000 crore was reportedly transferred to these shell companies, diverted for personal or business use by the promoters. Reports suggest the diverted funds were used for extravagant purchases, including expensive paintings by the Wadhawan brothers themselves.
Virtual Branch, Real Theft: Adding another layer of deceit, the investigation uncovered a fictitious “Bandra Branch” within DHFL’s software system. This branch, existing only in the digital realm, was allegedly used to channel funds towards the shell companies. The existence of a fake branch within the company’s own systems further demonstrates the elaborate and premeditated nature of the scam.
Fake Borrowers, Government Scheme Abuse: The CBI investigation alleges the creation of lakhs of fake borrowers using real customer data. These fake accounts were not only used to borrow over Rs 14,000 crore but were also allegedly leveraged against the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), a government scheme aimed at providing affordable housing for the underprivileged. By manipulating the system with fake borrowers, DHFL is suspected of illegally claiming Rs 1,880 crore in interest subsidies from the government.
Money laundering: The diverted funds are suspected to have been used for various purposes, potentially including investments in real estate and other assets.
Impact of the scam:
Impact:This elaborate scam resulted in massive losses for the bank consortium and eroded trust in the Indian financial system. The Wadhawan brothers have been arrested and are facing trial. Investigations and efforts to recover the lost funds are ongoing.
Loss to Banks:The scam resulted in a loss of over Rs 34,000 crore (approximately $4.3 billion) to the consortium of banks that had loaned money to DHFL.
Impact on borrowers: Borrowers who had taken legitimate loans from DHFL faced uncertainty due to the company’s financial woes.
Current Situation: Following the revelations, the CBI arrested the Wadhawan brothers in 2022 on charges of criminal conspiracy and fraud. They are currently facing trial. Efforts are underway to recover the lost funds, with authorities attaching assets belonging to the Wadhawan brothers. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has also imposed penalties on the company and its promoters for non-compliance with disclosure norms.
What is the latest? The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Dheeraj Wadhawan in May 2024 in connection with the Rs 34,000 crore bank fraud case. He was already chargesheeted by the CBI in 2022 for his alleged involvement in the scam. It’s important to note that Dheeraj Wadhawan was previously arrested in connection with the Yes Bank corruption probe. This development signifies continued action from the authorities in the DHFL case. However, it’s important to remember that the overall investigation and legal proceedings are still ongoing.
Here’s how you can be aware of such scams and protect yourself:
Beware of easy loans: If a loan offer seems too good to be true, with minimal paperwork or unusually low-interest rates, it probably is. Do your research and compare loan terms from multiple lenders before committing.
Understand the loan agreement:Read and understand all the terms and conditions of the loan agreement before signing. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if anything is unclear.
Verify loan disbursement:Ensure the loan amount is deposited into your designated account directly. Be wary of requests to disburse funds to a third party.
Maintain credit awareness:Monitor your credit report regularly to ensure no unauthorized loans are taken in your name, as seen with the DHFL fake borrower case.
Choose reputable institutions:Do your research and choose established and well-regulated financial institutions with a good track record.
Verify Information: Double-check all information provided by the financial institution. Be wary of inconsistencies or discrepancies.
Report suspicious activity: If you suspect any fraudulent activity, report it immediately to the financial institution and relevant authorities.
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DHFL 骗局：以下是有关 Dheeraj Wadhawan 案件的全部内容 — 据称是印度有史以来最大的银行贷款欺诈案
2024.5.15, Romance Scammers Find a New Way To Prey on Indian Women. It started with two simple words: “Hi, beautiful.” Jhumpa Biswas, 36, would have ignored this direct message from a stranger on Instagram. But intrigued by his name, Mark Anthony, she checked out his profile. He was a foreigner, indeed, and a white guy at that.
Romance Scammers Find a New Way To Prey on Indian Women
With more independent adult singles, fraudsters reach out directly rather than through their families
It started with two simple words: “Hi, beautiful.” Jhumpa Biswas, 36, would have ignored this direct message from a stranger on Instagram. But intrigued by his name, Mark Anthony, she checked out his profile. He was a foreigner, indeed, and a white guy at that.
“Fair and handsome,” she described him to me in her one-room apartment in Gurugram, a satellite city south of the Indian capital of New Delhi, in April 2023. She pulled up a screenshot of his Instagram display photo to prove it. The man had a nearly symmetrical face, a warm smile and well-groomed stubble. According to his bio, Anthony lived in Scotland and worked as a cosmetic surgeon specializing in rhinoplasty. Biswas, who worked as an assistant at a dermatology clinic, was impressed. She replied to him, saying, “Hi.”
After two weeks of furiously exchanged messages, Anthony had swept her off her feet with old-world chivalry of Clark Gable vintage. When she said she was single, he asked whether “all the men in your country were blind.” In another conversation, he told her it was “a man’s duty to take care of his woman.” He called her “princess.” No man had called her a princess before. In fact, her experience with men until this point had been negligible.
She hadn’t had much time for romance. When she was 16, her father abandoned the family in provincial West Bengal, and her mother, a housewife, moved halfway across the country to Gurugram, which was in the midst of rapid urbanization. Like many working-class women migrants from West Bengal, she found a job in a high-rise apartment as a domestic worker. Biswas and her older sister joined their mom a year later.
Biswas started her first job right after high school as a salesperson at a supermarket, where she earned a salary of nearly $50 a month. For the next 10 years or so, she moved from one job to another as her mother took on more domestic work. In 2014, Biswas joined the upscale dermatology clinic with an enviable salary of $600 a month. It made her feel settled. After her sister got married, she and her mother moved into a studio apartment.
But even while living in a big city and earning a sizable income, she complained about not having anyone in her life to train her in the ways of the world.
“No father, no brother, no husband.” At 36, she felt as naive as a schoolgirl, she said. “I don’t watch the news. Nor do I watch soap operas.” In her free time, she watched trending short videos on Instagram. Her own posts include photos of blooming flowers and goofy cats for her 200-odd followers. “I have posted a few photos of myself, but nothing too attention-seeking.” Once in a while, unknown men would message her, but she would ignore them because they were interested only in a casual relationship. “They don’t know how to talk.”
But Anthony was different. She admired that he took pride in his work: “On his profile, he had photos of himself at the clinic — wearing the doctor’s coat, performing a procedure, attending conferences for surgeons.” They soon exchanged numbers and proceeded to chat on WhatsApp. He checked in on her every day, asking: “How are you? Did you have dinner? How is your aunt’s health?” He would also ask her what time it was in India and told her where the clock was pointing in Edinburgh. Some days, he rang her using WhatsApp. On those calls, she was pleased to hear that he spoke good English (“just like any foreigner”) and never used inappropriate language. She didn’t mind that he asked her to send him photos; she worried only that they might disappoint him.
She decided to be honest.
“I am a little fat, you know,” she texted him one day.
He said all her problems were now his. “Together, we will work on your body.”
They were getting closer, sharing highs and lows during chats that were becoming longer. He told her he had been in love before. “He said his previous girlfriend dumped him. She ran away with his friend. It hurt him to talk about her,” Biswas said. Anthony was among the first people to know that Biswas was promoted at work. She had become a client coordinator at the clinic — a more senior role with a bigger salary. He was thrilled for her. “You deserve it, baby girl.”
A few days later, he inquired if she would like to live abroad. She said she would like it very much. He asked what she thought of the U.K. She wasn’t expecting his next question.
“Would you accept a foreigner for a husband?”
She kept quiet.
“A foreigner comes begging with real love.”
“But you don’t belong to my caste,” she reminded him, reasonably. Who cares about caste? he said. “We live in the 21st century.” He promised to fly to India and ask her mother for her hand.
Despite their vows over WhatsApp not to hide anything from each other, Biswas had kept something close to her chest. She was under enormous pressure to get married. “My mother had been banging on about it for some years.” Biswas looked at her mother as she said this. Sitting beside me on the sofa, the older woman said, “What else was I supposed to do as a mother?”
After Biswas turned 30, the critical age for marriageability in India, her only guardian took matters into her own hands and put up her profile on matrimonial websites, consulted her employers about suitable matches, and spread the word in the neighborhood. From the local shopkeeper to her landlord, everyone knew Biswas was seeking a husband. But finding one was proving to be complicated. “I worry who will take care of her when I am gone,” Biswas’ mother said, causing her to scoff in frustration.
Still, Biswas had tried everything. She met every man she was set up with and opened herself up to chance encounters. Nothing clicked. “I had come to the conclusion that there just wasn’t any man for me [to marry].”
In one of her phases of utter despair, a friend suggested a change of perspective: How about a man who would appreciate her ambition, rather than be intimidated by it? “Go for a basic guy,” he said. “Someone from the working class; someone who would look up to me.” Biswas wouldn’t have been content with a “basic” guy, though. “Were I to marry,” she said, “I would like to be with a man more accomplished than me. Someone who could support me should I want to lie low for a while.”
Anthony was that guy. He spoke about wanting her to relax after they got married. In another conversation, he promised to help her flourish in her career. “Maybe we can work together and achieve something great,” he said. His open-mindedness didn’t come as a surprise. Influenced by common perceptions, she believed men in Western countries were more liberal in their attitudes toward women. While she was still mulling over his proposal, he asked her to prepare for immigration and have her passport and visa ready. “You will love it here in Edinburgh.”
One day, nearly a month after she met Anthony on Instagram, Biswas received a call from an Indian woman representing a courier company who told her a package had been sent to her from a U.K. address. To receive it, she would have to pay a freight charge via a link sent to her mobile phone.
But Biswas wasn’t expecting anything.
Later, Anthony told her it was a gift. He had sent her some cash — almost $25,000 — to help with immigration expenses. At the going exchange rate, that would be 2 million rupees, more money than she had ever held. “He had also sent me the latest iPhone and a collection of gold jewelry — a necklace, bangles, bracelets,” Biswas said.
At least, that’s what he said. But in the weeks that followed, Biswas lost all her savings and every inch of trust in strangers.
To receive the gift of a lifetime, Biswas paid $1,900 in so-called processing charges, tax on foreign gold and bank transaction fees to the courier company that kept asking her for more. She liquidated her bank deposits, borrowed from friends and colleagues, and mortgaged a house she had bought in Kolkata for her mother. After all of this, when they asked for another $9,000 to upgrade her bank account so it could receive the $25,000 in Indian currency, it finally struck her that she was being scammed. “My mind went blank.”
Biswas first blamed the courier company, even as Anthony comforted her throughout, while gently pushing her not to let his gift go to waste. “I asked him — why did you send me so much!” He couldn’t help it, he said. “Baby, this was to show how crazy in love I am with you.” He promised her that his lawyers were on the job to sue the company.
A few days later, she went to file a complaint with the police. Her legs were shaking — it was her first visit to the police station. After five days of relentless chase, the police arrested a gang of four men. “Have a look,” said Satyender Singh, the investigating officer, while pointing to suspects lined up in a row. Three of them were Indian, while the fourth was a foreigner. Singh told her the foreigner was her supposed boyfriend, Anthony.
However, he wasn’t a doctor in the U.K. His name was Chibaka, alias Tall Issa, a native of Imo state in Nigeria who was living in India on a fake passport. “He wasn’t white; he was Black. His skin was darker than my hair,” she said. The constable asked Chibaka to join his hands and apologize to her, which he did. But Biswas turned back and went home.
Biswas had fallen victim to the Nigerian gift scam, one of the latest in the ever-growing range of romance and matrimonial scams targeting Indian women. At its center is an expensive gift that does not exist. Most scammers are African immigrants in India who impersonate white men from Western countries. “They know that as Indians, we always look up to the West. We are in awe of everything Western, from their liberal culture to their purchasing power,” said Shakti Avasthy, a senior police officer in Noida. They enlist like-minded Indians to do various tasks, such as opening bank accounts, buying SIM cards and impersonating courier agents.
Judging by newspaper reports, the scam has been used in many parts of the country, its web of victims ranging from a doctor in Chandigarh, Punjab, to a software engineer in Cuttack, Odisha. “They prey on women who can pay,” said Avasthy, who had arrested two gift scammers in the past two months. A gang of Nigerians, arrested for defrauding a journalist in Noida, had targeted up to 700 Indian women. At the time of his arrest, Chibaka had also been chatting with dozens of Indian women on multiple cell phones.
Most stories follow the same pattern, from the initial message on Instagram to the promised gold jewelry and Apple products in the gift box. There is always a wife who died or a girlfriend who cheated, along with photos of an angelic child who is the light of their lives. In some cases, women also received calls from fake customs officers alerting them that their prospective husbands were held up at the airport because of excessive cash and gold in their possession and would be released only after a proportionate fine was paid.
Media reports have relied on police statements to make sense of this new scam, as most women victims of romance fraud avoid telling their families, for fear that their parents and relatives will judge them or, worse, take away their freedoms. But few go to the police or initiate any legal action because of the stigma attached to being single and open to romantic relationships. Once their name enters the public record, they risk having to endure lifelong shaming. Most prefer to suffer in silence. Biswas made me promise to change her name before inviting me to her house for the rare interview.
Using the pretext of marriage to defraud women and their families is widespread across India, a country where no other social institution holds more value. From 2020 to 2021, the National Crime Records Bureau saw a 30% increase in matrimonial and romance scams. But discussions about these scams often concentrate on their more sensational elements, such as a man marrying 27 women or a woman discovering the deceit only after a year. While police and court documents may detail the methods and money trails, they often miss the larger picture. The prevalent narratives tend to simplify the situation, depicting scammers as ingenious and victims as naive, without addressing the deeper societal shifts these incidents reflect.
In my interviews with the victims, their self-possession stood out. It appeared as if these women were being punished under a patriarchal system for exerting their agency. Chitra Raghavan, a U.S.-based academic who has studied Indian matrimonial scams, appears in a recent documentary, “Wedding.con,” to argue that this is indeed the case. “It is a gesture of deep hostility for women daring to be brave, daring to be independent, daring to be adventurous,” Raghavan said. In a rare attempt to honor women’s testimonies, the documentary showed the range of matrimonial scams. The target is always a single woman earning an income, from a 24-year-old stepping into the arranged marriage market to a 38-year-old single mother looking for a second chance at love. Women speak clearly about what they do and do not want. One of them was looking for someone who did not subscribe to the dowry system. Another did not wish to go through the embarrassment of subjecting herself to the judgment of prospective in-laws.
As more women take the initiative in finding their life partners, they are ever more vulnerable to the traps set by matrimonial scammers, who are moving away from their usual playbook of preying on their families. Scammers capitalize on these women’s demand for agency in romantic relationships by pretending to embody the ideal partner their victims seek. For instance, Sneha, a coder for a multinational company in Bengaluru, agreed to a courtship because she felt the man “respected” her opinion. Priyanka, a product manager at an IT firm in Pune, was charmed by a foreigner who seemed to have a deep appreciation for his deceased wife. “I did not know such men existed who are so appreciative of their wives. I had not seen that,” she said. When he contacted her on Instagram, posing as a U.S. Navy engineer posted at a marine camp in California, she had just left an abusive marriage that left her with “intense trauma.” Living with her parents and caring for her young daughter, the 38-year-old was on a mission to “rebuild” herself.
In many instances, these scams would involve extended courtships where women met the supposed parents and relatives of the prospective groom who were part of the deceit, and fraudsters would spin elaborate stories to solicit money, citing various needs such as visa fees for post-marriage migration, down payments on property intended for shared use, bribes for their boss to ensure a job posting in the same town or the classic ploy of urgent funds needed for a sick mother’s surgery.
With more Indian women completing higher education than ever before, their aspirations have grown. Salaried work is often their first step toward upward mobility. Having a white-collar job facilitates unprecedented freedoms for women: She can go out on her own, have her own mobile phone, meet new people and make friends online. That Biswas could buy herself an iPhone 14 felt like a personal triumph to her. Buying a house with her own savings was another dream fulfilled.
According to the Indian government’s Periodic Labour Force Survey 2020, only 18.6% of working-age women in India are formally employed, with their numbers dipping year after year as many are held back because of caregiving duties and social restrictions. Nearly 50% of urban women don’t step out of the house even once a day, according to a 2023 paper based on findings from the 2019 Time Use Survey, which covers over 138,000 households across India. Those who left the house often did so on account of education or work.
Hence, like Priyanka, Biswas was leading an unusual life for a middle-class woman of her age, as over 90% of women in India are married before the age of 25. So to be in one’s 30s without a husband is practically rebellious. Few women would dream of doing that without an independent income. Some, like Biswas, are among those who are the first women in their families to boast a white-collar job.
Single women, especially in their 30s, are considered a problem in Indian society. Nosy relatives are easier to deal with than structural discrimination, under which women are denied housing and other necessities to set up an independent life. Women who live alone struggle to take out a bank loan or apply for a government-issued identity card for no reason other than the apparent lack of a husband or father.
Moreover, in India’s thriving market for arranged marriages, ambitious women are a red flag. If they are highly educated or career-minded, prospective husbands and their families ask, will they be able to devote themselves to home and family? Rejections are common and crushing for many young women who are pushed by their families to go through the routine of matchmaking for arranged marriages. Some refuse to take part, and today, thousands of women are also choosing to remain single. According to India’s last recorded census in 2011, 15% of women ages 20 to 34 had never been married, which meant that India had 22 million single women. With population growth, that number is larger today.
Despite enjoying greater freedoms and agency, many women still express a desire to find and settle down with the perfect partner, one who sees them as their equal and not inferior in any way. This longing, along with a widespread lack of awareness about digital privacy and financial security, has made women particularly vulnerable and created new opportunities for scammers.
Dheeraj Pandey, a Delhi-based customs clearance broker who has been raising awareness about these scams on his YouTube channel, has received hundreds of calls since 2020 from women who, he said, are “living in big cities, small cities, everywhere.” Most of them, he added, are in white-collar jobs and like the idea of being married to a foreigner or an Indian living abroad.
“They fell for the lure of being able to leave India and live in a better place,” Pandey said.
Fraudsters used to scour matchmaking websites, but now they prefer to hunt for victims on Instagram, because, unlike matrimonial portals where women’s accounts are often created and managed by their families, this is where they are on their own — posting selfies, engaging with followers, responding to trends and selling products. Owing to India’s sharp digital gap — women are 20% less likely than men to own a smartphone, and many access the internet under restrictions — those with public accounts also project a degree of independence and become a target of people who are on Instagram offering love, whether real or fake.
While social media makes them more vulnerable to romance scams, it also opens new channels to raise awareness. Some victims are sharing their experiences online and encouraging others to add their voices in comments, thereby creating a web of solidarity, which is especially important as they navigate a culture of fear and shame. Before weighing their options on how to report a scam, many first browse YouTube to see if anyone has posted something similar. Often, they discover someone else relates to what they thought was their unique story.
Information about the telltale signs of scams is also saving some potential victims. In one example, YouTube creator Nidhi Singh shared a zoomed-in photo of a luxury car that a scammer had sent her. In an effort to convince Nidhi that he is the kind of person who casually showers his loved ones with precious gifts, the scammer, who posed as a London-based doctor, claimed he just bought the car for his father. “I noticed it already had a number plate. I knew it couldn’t be a new car,” Nidhi shared with her viewers. When she questioned him about it, he responded with fury: “Are you mad? Are you sick?” She eventually blocked his account.
A couple of years before receiving Anthony’s direct message on Instagram, Biswas had earnestly tried to find a partner through the arranged marriage system in India. Her mother chose a man from a matchmaking website, and the family she cooked for, whose advice she respected, approved of the choice. Biswas had met him a few times and even had him over for a meal. Then one day he asked her to take out a loan for him in her name. That put her off him forever, but she had probably saved herself from a loan scam raging on matrimonial sites, in which fraudsters would propose marriage, and after the woman agreed, they would ask her to take out a loan on their behalf.
Now, in the aftermath of the gift scam, all Biswas wants is to have her money back. But the police were able to seize only $700 from the scammers because, they said, the remainder had long been dispatched to Nigeria. Biswas intends to take the accused to court unless they offer to settle the case by paying back what they took from her. Aware that court dates could disrupt her life, she is determined to fight it out.
She reckons that perhaps she will have more free time on her hands now that she won’t be looking for a man.
“I am going to be single,” she said, looking sideways at her mother, who pretended not to hear. “Is this your final decision?” I asked. “Yes. What is the problem with being single?”
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浪漫骗子找到了诈骗印度女性的新方法
随着独立成年单身人士的增多，诈骗者会直接接触而不是通过家人
它以两个简单的词开始：“嗨，美丽。” 36 岁的 Jhumpa Biswas 可能会忽略 Instagram 上陌生人的这条直接信息。但她对他的名字马克·安东尼很感兴趣，于是查看了他的个人资料。他确实是一个外国人，而且还是一个白人。
2023 年 4 月，她在位于印度首都新德里以南的卫星城市古尔冈的一居室公寓里向我描述他，“又白又英俊”。她调出了一张他在 Instagram 上展示的照片的屏幕截图来证明这一点。男人有着一张近乎对称的脸，笑容温暖，胡茬修剪得很整齐。根据他的简历，安东尼住在苏格兰，是一名专门从事鼻整形术的整容外科医生。在一家皮肤科诊所担任助理的比斯瓦斯对此印象深刻。她回复他：“嗨。”
2024.5.15, A pregnant woman from Airoli, Navi Mumbai, lost Rs 54 lakh in an online scam while on maternity leave. She was lured into a work-from-home scheme where she was made to invest money with a promise of high returns.
Woman on maternity leave starts working from home online for extra money, ends up losing Rs 54 lakh in scam
A pregnant woman from Airoli, Navi Mumbai, lost Rs 54 lakh in an online scam while on maternity leave. She was lured into a work-from-home scheme where she was made to invest money with a promise of high returns.
In Short
A pregnant woman from Mumbai became latest victim to online scam
She was lured into the scam by four individual she connected with online
The scammers asked her to rate hotels online
Online scams are rampant in India, with countless individuals falling victim to the lucrative schemes of cyber fraudsters. In recent months, the country has witnessed a surge in such fraudulent activities, with thousands of individuals losing Lakhs and crores to unsuspecting victims. Latest victim to this plague is a pregnant woman hailing from Airoli, Navi Mumbai, who found herself ensnared in an online scam, ultimately losing a staggering sum of Rs 54 lakh.
According to a police official, the 37-year-old victim, who was on maternity leave, was looking for ways to earn some extra income online. During her search, she ended up connecting with some individuals online who offered a promising promise of freelance work that involved rating companies and restaurants. They assured her of a good sum of money upon completion of just five initial tasks, reports PTI.
The woman apparently got convinced by the offer and later started the work. During her online work, the scammers gave her instructions and shared links to rate the hotels and eventually made her invest money in a promise of high returns. Getting more tangled in the scam, the woman ended up making payments totaling Rs 54,30,000 across various accounts. These payments, allegedly meant for securing the promised tasks, were made between May 7 and 10, 2024.
However, after completing the assigned tasks, when the victim attempted to claim her promised remuneration, she was denied as the fraudsters became unresponsive, refusing to answer her calls. She then realised she had been defaulted and the victim approached the Navi Mumbai cyber police, who have registered a case against four unidentified individuals on charges of cheating.
Notably, this is not an isolated case of an online scam where fraudsters lure individuals with work-from-home tasks. In fact, there has been an increase in cases where people end up losing money through a similar pattern. Initially, scammers reach out to individuals online through social media platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, or Instagram, offering money for simple tasks. However, once individuals start earning money, the scammers lure them into investment schemes where they are persuaded to invest significant sums of money. Once they receive the money, the scammers disconnect from the individual, leaving them in financial distress.
How to Stay Safe from Work-From-Home Scams
The government has warned people not to fall for such lucrative offers. Here are some instant tips to follow to prevent such scams:
Be cautious of unsolicited offers: If a work-from-home opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of unsolicited calls, emails, or messages promising high returns for minimal effort.
Research before investing: Never send money upfront to secure work-from-home positions. Legitimate companies won’t require such payments. Research the company and the job description thoroughly before committing.
Verify the platform: If the job is advertised on an online platform, ensure its legitimacy. Check user reviews and the online reputation of the platform before engaging with unknown individuals or companies.
Report suspicious activity: If you encounter a work-from-home scam, report it to the authorities immediately. You can also report it to the platform where you encountered the offer to prevent others from falling victim.
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休产假的妇女开始在家网上工作以赚取额外收入，最终在诈骗中损失了 540 万卢比
一名来自新孟买艾罗利的孕妇在休产假期间因网络诈骗损失了 540 万卢比。她被引诱加入一项在家工作计划，并被要求进行投资并承诺获得高回报。
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