Authorities in Panchkula have apprehended two bank employees from Ahmedabad for their suspected involvement in a cyber fraud scheme that has reportedly swindled victims out of Rs 1.75 crore.
The individuals, identified as Krishan Pratap and Badal Gurnam Singh, were presented in court on April 8, where they were placed in police custody for a period of seven days, according to police sources. This case originated in July 2024, when a resident of Panchkula filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police Station.
The complainant reported discovering an advertisement on Facebook on July 5 that promised significant returns on stock market investments. After engaging with the ad, he was contacted through WhatsApp, where he was persuaded to invest substantial amounts with the promise of high profits. Gradually, the fraudsters gained his confidence and ultimately deceived him out of Rs 1.75 crore through several transactions.
In response to the complaint, authorities initiated an investigation and registered a case under pertinent sections of the BNS. The inquiry revealed that the arrested bank employees were instrumental in the operation by aiding the cyber criminals in establishing bank accounts, gathering necessary documentation, and facilitating the transfer of the embezzled funds through various channels.
According to police reports, the arrests have increased the total number of individuals implicated in the case to 14, including 12 others who were detained at various points during the investigation from December 2024 to April 2026.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic) Amarinder Singh has advised the public to exercise caution regarding deceptive investment schemes that are prevalent on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and WhatsApp. He urged individuals to refrain from sharing their banking information, one-time passwords (OTPs), or personal details with unfamiliar contacts and to report any instances of cyber fraud without delay.
For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram.
