Inter-state stock trading racket busted in Sonipat; 3 arrested

Sonipat: In a significant breakthrough, the Sonipat cyber police have dismantled an inter-state cyber fraud syndicate that allegedly duped a local resident of ₹10.6 lakh under the pretext of offering "free stock market training" and assured high returns. Three accused have been apprehended from Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Jaipur (Rajasthan), officials confirmed on Monday.The case came to light following a complaint filed on January 29, 2026, by Ishaan, a resident of Sonepat, who reported being lured into a sophisticated online investment scam. According to the complaint, the victim received a call in Oct 2025 from individuals posing as partners of a multinational firm identified as "DPRIME". He was subsequently added to WhatsApp groups where he was persuaded to invest in stock trading. The accused allegedly projected lucrative returns ranging between 20% and 30% within a short span, and even assured compensation in case of losses, thereby building a façade of credibility. Influenced by these claims, the complainant transferred a total of ₹10.6 lakh from his IndusInd Bank account into multiple accounts provided by the fraudsters.However, when the victim attempted to withdraw his funds, all communication channels were abruptly severed. Calls went unanswered, and messages remained ignored, raising suspicion of fraud. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had been operating through fabricated websites and forged documents to open bank accounts and execute the scam.Acting swiftly, a dedicated team of Sonipat Cyber Police, under the supervision of senior officers, conducted coordinated raids in Mumbai and Jaipur, leading to the arrest of three accused identified as Abhijeet and Mahesh (both residents of Mumbai) and Rahul (a resident of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh). During the operation, the police recovered seven mobile phones, ten cheque books, and nine passbooks, indicating the scale and organized nature of the racket. The accused were produced before a competent court after the completion of police remand and have been remanded to judicial custody. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway to identify additional members of the syndicate and trace the money trail. Issuing an advisory, the police urged citizens to remain vigilant against unsolicited investment offers, avoid clicking on unknown links, and verify the authenticity of trading platforms before investing. Authorities reiterated that promises of "guaranteed high returns" are a common hallmark of cyber fraud and should be treated with extreme caution. MSID: 130238120 413 |