This is an archive article published on October 21, 2024
4 cyber criminals arrested for duping deputy GM of international firm
The Delhi Police registered an FIR at Cyber South West police station and learnt that Sethi's Rs 42 lakh was transferred in 11 bank accounts of people in different states.
The Delhi Police has arrested four alleged cyber criminals from Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal for defrauding a deputy general manger of an international LLP (limited liability partnership) firm of Rs 42 lakh.
The police identified the victim as Arjun Sethi and the accused as Nikunj Ashvinbhai Makvana (29), Chetan Singh Ranawat (33), Aditya Sonkar (23) and Sumit Shaw (23).
“On January 1, Sethi was added to WhatsApp group ‘Vanguard Group 249’… He went on to invest around Rs 42 lakh in a fraudulent online scheme, after being lured by an advertisement on Instagram,” DCP (South West) Surendra Choudhary said on Sunday.
On March 10, Sethi filed a police complaint, when the alleged cyber frauds continued to demand additional funds as management fees and taxes and refused to return his investment.
The Delhi Police registered an FIR at Cyber South West police station and learnt that Sethi’s Rs 42 lakh was transferred in 11 bank accounts of people in different states.
After analysing the money trail, the police on September 27 raided premises in Surat, Ahmedabad, Chittorgarh and Kolkata.
The same day, from Ahmedabad, Makvana, the owner of one of the 11 bank accounts, was arrested. During questioning, he said that he had opened two current accounts and sold the login credentials to Ranawat to earn easy money. Following this, Ranawat was arrested from Chittorgarh.
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Subsequently, another bank account opened in Srinagar was traced to Aditya Sonkar of Kolkata, who was arrested. The police found that he had shared his banking credentials to his friend Sumit Shaw, who was also arrested from Kolkata. The three men were arrested between September 27 and October 19.
“During probe, we found that a transaction of around Rs 4.28 crore has taken place in Shaw’s account. The bank account was extensively used in February by scammers, and more than 15 cyber crime complaints were found registered against it,” the DCP said.
Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, currently leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance.
Professional Expertise & Credentials
An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment.
Specialized Beats
Himanshu’s portfolio reflects versatility, allowing him to navigate diverse industries and social issues:
Civic & Legal Affairs: Extensive experience covering the Delhi reporting beat, focusing on policy implementation and judicial impact.
Automotive Industry: A technical background in reporting on India’s evolving transport and automotive sectors.
Social Fabric & Human Interest: Beyond hard news, he is known for exploring the changing social dynamics of India’s urban and rural heartlands, bringing a human-centric lens to systemic issues.
Personal Interests & Digital Literacy
Outside the newsroom, Himanshu’s deep engagement with technology and gaming informs his understanding of digital trends and the modern information economy. A trained DJ with a passion for music, his diverse personal interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that resonates across both traditional and digital media platforms. ... Read More
