In today's digital age, while cases of cyber fraud are continuously increasing, Ahmedabad Rural Police has achieved a major success by taking prompt and commendable action. Out of the Rs. 3 crores lost by a pharmaceutical company, which was a victim of the much talked about 'Boss Scam' in Changodar area, Rs. 2.88 crores have been successfully returned to the original owner.
What was the whole incident?
This cyber fraud was committed on Hardik Patel, who was working as an accountant in the 'Pure and Cure Pharma' company located in Changodar. Using identity theft and social engineering, the fraudster kept the photo of the company's director as his WhatsApp profile picture (DP). After that, Hardik Patel was ordered to immediately transfer Rs. 3 crore to a specific bank account by messaging him. Understanding the director's order, the accountant transferred the amount through multiple transactions.
After the transaction was completed, when the accountant had a telephonic conversation with the company director, it came to light that the director had not given any such message or order. As soon as the accountant realised that he had been a victim of cyber fraud, he contacted the cyber helpline, Changodar police station and LCB without delay.
Prompt police action and money trail
Considering the seriousness of the incident, the Ahmedabad Rural Police team immediately started the operation with the help of the Cyber Cell. Within a short period of 4 to 5 hours of the incident, the police traced the bank accounts to which the money was transferred. After exchanging with the banks, Rs. 2.94 crore out of Rs. 3 crore was immediately frozen. After completing the legal process, a significant amount of Rs. 2.88 crore has been successfully returned to the original owner.
Police investigation has revealed that this cyber gang used inter-state networks to hide the money. The fraud money first went to the account of Gokul Guruvardhan in Andhra Pradesh, from there Rs. 6 lakh was sent to the account of Updesh Yadav in Madhya Pradesh and finally the remaining amount was transferred to a bank account located in Jammu and Kashmir.
Investigation intensified to nab interstate gang
Currently, Ahmedabad Rural Police has started a massive investigation in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir by forming separate teams to nab the masterminds and other accomplices of this inter-state cyber gang. In the case of cyber crime, such a huge amount has been recovered due to the information given in the 'golden hour', which is an excellent example of the vigilance and technical efficiency of the police.
