Delhi: US Woman Duped of Rs 3.3 Crore by Fake Microsoft Agent - How Did The Cyber Fraud Unfold?
New Delhi: On July 4, 2023, Lisa Roth, a resident of the United States, received a phone call from someone claiming to be a "Microsoft agent." The caller convinced her to transfer $400,000 (approximately ₹3.3 crore) to a cryptocurrency wallet. Unbeknownst to Ms. Roth, she had fallen victim to an elaborate cyber fraud scheme.
A year later, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested a bookie and a cryptocurrency handler based in Delhi. Lakshya Vij, the bookie, was apprehended in east Delhi's Dilshad Garden. His name had previously come up in March when the Gujarat Police arrested him at the Cross River Mall in east Delhi, only for a senior Delhi Police officer to allegedly secure his release.
The Fraud Unraveled
Ms. Roth's money was traced to cryptocurrency wallets owned by Praful Gupta and his mother, Sarita Gupta. The investigation revealed that Karan Chug received the funds from Gupta and further distributed them into various wallets. These transactions were part of a larger scheme where cryptocurrency was sold and the proceeds were moved into several fake Indian accounts. The operation was coordinated by Karan and Lakshya, who funneled the money through betting apps like Fair Play 24.
Investigation and Arrests
The Enforcement Directorate launched a money laundering investigation and conducted multiple raids last month, uncovering substantial digital evidence. They recorded statements from individuals associated with the cryptocurrency wallets used in the scam. The evidence pointed to Lakshya as the mastermind behind the fraud.
The primary suspect was presented in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, which subsequently remanded him to a five-day custody with the Enforcement Directorate for further questioning.
This case highlights the growing menace of cyber fraud and the intricate methods criminals use to exploit unsuspecting victims. The Enforcement Directorate's efforts have brought to light a complex network of financial transactions designed to launder money and deceive people on a global scale.
