Chinese-Linked Scam Busted: Mastermind of Rs 21 Crore Online Job Scam Arrested By Uttarakhand STF

 

Dehradun's Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttarakhand Police has successfully apprehended the alleged mastermind behind a massive ₹21 crore fraud scheme that targeted unsuspecting individuals with the lure of a work-from-home opportunity. The accused, identified as Rushabh Sharma from Haryana, was captured following an extensive and meticulous investigation. It is believed that Sharma was the architect of this elaborate fraudulent operation, which had connections to Chinese interests.

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The case first came to light when a complaint was filed at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Dehradun. The victim, in search of an online job, received an enticing WhatsApp message from an unfamiliar number. This message promised a work-from-home opportunity associated with the renowned Marriott Bonvoy Hotel. The victim was then contacted through the Telegram app by an individual named Sonia, who claimed to represent the esteemed hotel group.

Sonia baited the victim with a scheme that initially involved earning commissions by booking hotels online. To initiate the victim's involvement, a website bearing the URL "https://www.marriottwork.com" was employed for registration, and a Telegram group was established using the link "https://t.me/+CSYSadhAdYk2NDII." Subsequently, the victim was assigned various financial transactions, ultimately leading to a significant loss of ₹19,94,853.

Legal Action and Thorough Investigation

In response to this fraudulent activity, a case was swiftly registered under Section 420/120B of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Dehradun. An extensive technical investigation was initiated, which eventually led the authorities to the suspect's location in Haryana. A team was promptly dispatched to the neighboring state to further probe the matter, and after rigorous efforts, they succeeded in apprehending Rushabh Sharma, a 27-year-old resident of Gurgaon, Haryana. Additionally, Sharma's Realme mobile phone, alleged to have been used in the commission of the crimes, was seized by the police.

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Uncovering an Expansive Network

Throughout the investigation, the authorities unveiled a convoluted network of fraudulent bank accounts linked to the accused. These accounts were tied to over 85 complaints registered on the national portal, amounting to a staggering ₹21 crore. They were scattered across various locations, including Gujarat, Delhi NCR, and Punjab. Notably, the accused had also set up dummy bank accounts targeted at Chinese customers.

The perpetrators employed various tactics, including generating fake GST and import-export registration numbers, before establishing these bank accounts. These accounts were predominantly "CURRENT Accounts" created using PAN cards, with Aadhaar cards used for SMS alerts. Subsequently, they provided net banking credentials to foreign customers, enabling them to make cryptocurrency purchases and effectively erase any traces of the money trail. To evade scrutiny, accounts were established under the guise of agricultural firms and societies.

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This significant arrest by the Uttarakhand Police's Special Task Force represents a substantial victory in the battle against online fraud and cybercrime. It serves as a stark reminder for individuals to exercise caution when encountering seemingly lucrative work-from-home opportunities, particularly those that appear too good to be true.

A recent investigation has brought to light the extensive criminal activities of Rushabh Sharma, a notorious figure with a criminal record spanning multiple states and union territories in India. Shockingly, Sharma has faced a staggering 37 charges registered across 855 cases in various regions, including Telangana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Karnataka, among others.

To further complicate matters, the accused had meticulously established a network of 855 criminal Telegram links that spanned across several states, with a notably high concentration in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Telangana, and Bihar.

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The evidence and information gathered during this investigation will be promptly shared with the relevant states and union territories, enabling them to take appropriate actions as necessary.

The individual at the center of this criminal web is Rushabh Sharma, the son of Rajesh Sharma, and a resident of M.No. 735, Sector 9, Gurgaon, Haryana. At 27 years of age, his arrest represents a significant setback for the orchestrators of this elaborate fraud scheme. This case serves as a stark reminder of the vital role that vigilance and reporting of suspicious activities play in preventing further individuals from becoming victims of such scams.

Source: https://www.the420.in/haryana-resident-kingpin-work-from-home-fraud-uttarakhand-stf/