Srinagar, Dec 24(KNB):The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in connection with a ₹26 lakh international online fraud case, exposing a well-planned impersonation and cheating racket allegedly operated by a woman from Arunachal Pradesh.
Officials said the chargesheet has been submitted before the Court of Judge Small Causes, Srinagar, in FIR No. 17/2020, registered under Sections 419, 420, 468, 471 of the RPC and Section 66-D of the Information Technology Act.
According to a statement issued to news agency Kashmir News Bureau the accused has been identified as Jumbom Riba, daughter of Henjum Riba, a resident of Village Pagi, Basar area of Lepa Rada district in West Siang, Arunachal Pradesh.
The case originated from a written complaint filed by a local businessman, who alleged that he was approached through social media by a woman posing as “Christiana,” claiming to be a secretary with Abbot Pharmaceutical, United Kingdom. Under the guise of offering dealership rights for a product named “Agasina Nut,” allegedly sourced from Arunachal Pradesh, the complainant was lured with promises of high returns and an international business agreement.
Believing the claims, the victim transferred around ₹26.25 lakh into multiple bank accounts. The fraud was further reinforced through a staged and fake demonstration of foreign currency conversion, which ultimately resulted in significant financial loss to the complainant.
During the course of investigation, EOW Kashmir established that the accused used forged and non-genuine identity documents, including fake voter ID cards, to open several bank accounts under different names such as Tabu Juli and Aisha Kholi across various banks. These accounts were allegedly operated by the accused herself to route, divert and withdraw the defrauded money.
Investigators found a pattern of rapid inter-bank transfers and cash withdrawals, with no legitimate source of income to justify the financial transactions.
“The investigation conclusively proved offences of cheating, impersonation, forgery and use of forged documents as genuine. Accordingly, the chargesheet has been produced in absentia under Section 512 CrPC for judicial determination,” the statement said.
The Economic Offences Wing, Crime Branch Kashmir, has also urged the public to remain vigilant and cautious while dealing with online and offline financial transactions to avoid falling prey to fraudsters.(KNB)