The Delhi Police have apprehended three individuals involved in a work-from-home scam that targeted unsuspecting victims with deceptive tasks and cryptocurrency investment promises, ultimately defrauding them of their money. The suspects employed tactics such as creating fictitious bank accounts and obtaining multiple SIM cards under a single identity to carry out their fraudulent activities.
According to the complaint filed by a 38-year-old woman from Delhi, she received an offer for part-time work from home through WhatsApp. The scammers enticed her by assigning small tasks, such as increasing likes on YouTube videos. Gradually, they gained her trust and convinced her to invest INR 3.3 lakh in multiple bank accounts, promising high returns on cryptocurrency investments. However, after receiving the funds, the fraudsters disappeared.
The North Delhi Cyber Police station conducted an investigation, leading them to an address in Narela. During a raid, the police arrested the three accused, seized seven mobile phones, three chequebooks, 18 SIM cards, and INR 2 lakh in cash. The suspects disclosed that they collaborated with a fourth person named Radhey, who provided them with bank account kits and SIM cards. By establishing a fictitious firm and renting office space, they managed to deceive bank representatives during physical verification and open multiple bank accounts.
This case highlights the increasing prevalence of scams involving cryptocurrencies, which have become an attractive avenue for fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting victims. Earlier this year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) revealed that it had seized proceeds worth INR 936 crore related to various cryptocurrency frauds, leading to the arrest of five individuals. The ED is currently investigating several cases involving cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering, with some crypto exchanges also implicated.
The arrest of the three individuals involved in the work-from-home scam serves as a reminder for individuals to exercise caution when engaging in online work opportunities and investment schemes. It is crucial to verify the credibility of such offers and be vigilant against fraudulent activities to protect oneself from financial losses.
