Haryana MBBS Doctor Among 9 Arrested
G’ba : The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday said it has uncovered a major transnational online investment fraud racket involving fake trading platforms and phishing links, with verified transactions worth ₹209 crore and suspected proceeds likely to exceed ₹400 crore upon full investigation.
The case was registered at Police Station Ganderbal following a complaint by a local resident alleging identity theft and cheating by an organised gang of cyber fraudsters. Authorities invoked multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Senior Superintendent of Police Khalil Ahmad Poswal constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) along with technical experts to probe the operation. According to investigators, the accused used fraudulent investment websites promoted through social media and search platforms to lure victims with promises of high returns from cryptocurrency-style trading schemes.
Police said once victims deposited funds, the money was diverted into local bank accounts across districts including Budgam, Srinagar, Ganderbal and Baramulla. The amounts were then rapidly layered through multiple accounts and transferred outside Jammu and Kashmir and even abroad to obscure the money trail. Investigators identified the alleged mastermind as Ekant Yogdutt, also known as “Dr. Morphine,” a resident of Hisar. Police said he was apprehended at Delhi’s international airport while returning from China. Officials claim he developed technical know-how for such fraud during his medical studies in the Philippines and maintained links with foreign nationals. Eight alleged accomplices from Kashmir arrested in the case were identified as Mohd Ibrahim Shah alias Yawer, Nasir Ahmad Ganie, Maqsood Ahmad alias Dr. Albert, Tanveer Ahmad alias Dr. Martin, Tawseef Ahmad Mir, Khurshid Ahmad, and Ishfaq Ahmad, whom police described as regional coordinators and account mobilisers.
Police allege they recruited economically vulnerable people, persuading them to hand over bank accounts and ATM cards in exchange for monthly payments of ₹8,000–10,000. Some bank employees are also under scrutiny for allegedly providing QR codes used on the fake platforms.Authorities said the network operated Telegram channels where new QR codes were frequently uploaded to bypass account freezes triggered after complaints. So far, investigators have identified 835 accounts and verified transactions in 290 of them. Police stated further investigation is underway to trace the complete money trail and attach properties belonging to the accused. Officials also urged the public to avoid schemes promising unrealistic profits and warned against renting out bank accounts for financial incentives. Victims have been advised to report cyber fraud through the national portal or helpline.
