New Delhi (Agency): The cybercrime police station in Nilgiris district announced a significant success in the fight against online fraud on 22.09. Three individuals were arrested, and large sums of money, totaling over Rs. 1.21 crore, were recovered, along with 80 cell phones worth about Rs. 17,00,000.
In 2022, Mehul Shah, the son of Shantilal Shah, who lives in Coonoor Utkot, lost money amounting to Rs. 92,77,839 through an online task via Linky. The fraudulent activity occurred through messages sent via WhatsApp and Telegram from an unknown person. Following the registration of the case, the cybercrime police conducted an investigation, leading to the arrest of the three accused: Ehilraj Ravi, Balasubramanian, and Muthuraj.
Ehilraj Ravi T/P Ravi, from Perumacountan Patti, Yumupillai, Salem, was arrested and sent to Udhakamandalam court custody. Balasubramanian (27) and Muthuraj (32) from Tenkasi District were arrested from Thoothukudi Peravoorani Branch Jail. These two had already been registered against in Thiruvannamalai and Thoothukudi District Cyber Crime Police Stations.
Additionally, another case involved Sundaram’s son Pratipan, a resident of Kattadi Level, Balakola, Ooty. In 2022, he was tricked into paying about Rs. 58.53 lakh online for a fake nursing job in London for his sister.
In 2023, Selvarani (65) from Bandalur was also victimized. After seeing a spiritual advertisement through Osho TV, she paid Rs. 3.80 lakh online to a scammer, believing that her family needed to make amends.
The investigations were carried out under the direction of West Zone Police Chief Tmt. Bhavaneeswari, IPS, and Coimbatore Cargo Police Deputy Commissioner Tr. Saravanakathar, IPS. District Superintendent of Police Dr. Thiruprabhakar, M.A.B.L., CGT., Ph.D., and Additional Superintendent of Police, Mr. Soundararajan, supervised the operations.
According to the court order, the money lost by the victims was returned, with a total of Rs. 1.21,45,587 being deposited in the bank accounts of the petitioners. The bank account of the petitioner Selvarani was frozen, and Rs. 3,80,000 was returned to her. The police also recovered 80 cell phones of various brands, worth about Rs. 17,00,000, and handed them over to the appropriate persons.
The Nilgiri District Superintendent of Police praised the Nilgiri District Cyber Crime Officers and officers for their outstanding efforts in resolving these cases. The crackdown highlights the importance of vigilance against cyber fraud and the police’s commitment to protecting citizens from online criminal activities. It serves as a stern reminder that those who engage in online fraud will be pursued and brought to justice.
