Delhi: Man arrested in Rs 39.53 lakh clothes showroom franchise fraud case

A 23-year-old man who allegedly supplied bank accounts to cyber fraudsters has been arrested in Bihar in connection with a Rs 39.53 lakh fraud committed on the pretext of providing a brand clothes showroom franchise, Delhi Police said on Wednesday.

Arrest in Rs 39.53 lakh franchise fraud

Sonu Chaudhary, a resident of Bihar, was arrested on August 12 following an investigation by a team of Shahdara district police, they said.

According to police, a case was registered on the complaint of Sushant Jain, who said he came across a fake website while searching online for a franchise.

The complainant was subsequently contacted by a person identifying himself as Rajesh, who claimed to be a representative of the brand, police said.

"The fraudsters allegedly induced Jain to make multiple payments on various pretexts related to processing and providing the franchise. They also sent invoices through an email address designed to resemble official franchise communication," a senior police officer said.

Money transferred through multiple accounts

Believing the representations, Jain transferred money from his and his father's bank accounts to several accounts provided by the accused, resulting in a total loss of around Rs 39.53 lakh, police said.

During the investigation, police analysed the money trail and beneficiary accounts and found Chaudhary's alleged involvement in procuring bank accounts from different account holders and supplying them to cyber criminals in return for money.

Over 100 bank accounts allegedly procured

The investigation so far has revealed that Chaudhary procured bank accounts through his contacts and supplied them to cyber fraudsters, who allegedly used the accounts to receive and route proceeds of cyber crimes, police said.

"He had allegedly procured more than 100 bank accounts through contacts in West Bengal, including Nadia and North 24 Parganas, and supplied them to associates," they said.

Three mobile phones containing chats and other digital material related to the procurement and supply of bank accounts have been recovered. Further investigation is underway.