MP: ₹1500 Crore Cyber Fraud, Linked To Hawala & Terror Funding In Gurugram Case

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (MP ATS) has so far unearthed transactions amounting to over Rs 1,500 crore in Gurugram cyber crime case, which officials say is linked to international terror funding.

People familiar with the investigation said that money collected through cyber fraud exceeded Rs 1,500 crore, with a major amount going into the pockets of the anti-national outfits. The people involved in terror funding had parked funds in various bank accounts before being transferred to other countries particularly Dubai.

The amount was then withdrawn and shared among scamsters. The Gurugram case came to light when the MP ATS raided a flat and detained six people for alleged involvement in cyber crime. During the operation, one suspect, Himanshu Kumar, reportedly fell from the third floor of a hotel while allegedly trying to escape custody.

Following his custodial death, the Gurugram police registered a murder case against nine MP ATS personnel, who were later suspended. However, this has not deterred the MP ATS from continuing its probe into the terror funding links. The ATS got involved in the case after Jabalpur cyber police busted a gang of cyber criminals. During the investigation, the ATS uncovered leads pointing to terror financing.

Modus Operandi

The racketeers lured individuals into opening bank accounts promising benefits from government-run schemes like Kisan Samman Nidhi, old-age pension, Sambal Yojana, and unemployment scholarships. Betting and siphoning of the amount was done through fake gaming links. The investigations have also brought to fore alleged involvement of bank officials and employees. The racketeers used documents and Aadhaar ID, PAN card of common men to open bank accounts.   

Bhopal police bust fake loan call centre in Gurugram

In June 2021, Bhopal Police received a complaint about loan fraud. The complainant had taken a loan through a mobile app and, despite clearing all dues, he continued receiving calls from unidentified persons over outstanding loan payments. Acting on the complaint, Bhopal police traced the suspects to Gurugram and busted a gang operating a fake loan call centre.