White collar crimes on rise in capital

An officer tasked with investigating online fraud said such cases need extensive investigation.

Despite Delhi Police having a specialised unit under the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the Crime Branch to investigate white collar crimes, cases of online fraud are on the rise in the capital. Last year, the EOW handled 7,338 complaints and investigated 975 cases. Of these, 1,290 complaints were disposed of and cases registered in 253 complaints. However, the number of cyber crime cases registered in 2016 was just 49. According to sources, the increase in cheating cases is an alarming indication of how, in the changing socio-economic scenario, an increasing number of educated people are entering the world of cyber crime to earn a quick buck.

A senior police officer said that there has been a sudden rise in white-collar crimes, especially property and bank fraud, in the last three years. “Profits from fraud cases in the capital would be equivalent to the value of all stolen goods in a year,” he added.

He added that until a few years ago, victims of online fraud were often not aware of the legal means they could pursue against fraudsters. “Now, people are alert and are approaching the investigation agency concerned. Cases are registered under sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery) and 471 (fraud).”

Story continues below this ad

An officer tasked with investigating online fraud said such cases need extensive investigation. Many times, during the course of the probe, police find that the accused has duped others as well.

“In one such case involving a Nigerian national, we found that the accused would call people and say they had won lakhs or crores. The victim would be asked to deposit a certain sum in an account. Several people were duped using this modus-operandi,” he said.

Mahender Singh Manral

Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram