GUWAHATI: While Assam has been in the news for the recent exposure of a massive Rs 2,200 crore online trading scam, Meghalaya has also been grappling with a significant multi-crore scam.
Over 700 people have reportedly fallen victim to fraudulent investment schemes through deceptive apps.
Despite extensive efforts, Meghalaya Police have only managed to recover a meager Rs 2.42 crore of the substantial funds lost to the scam, leaving numerous victims facing significant financial hardship.
As per reports, eight cases have been registered so far in Khasi and Garo Hills.
The scam, which began approximately five months ago, lured locals with promises of high returns.
Victims, ranging from those who invested lakhs to those who invested just a few thousand, were duped by the scammers’ claims of lucrative returns.
Superintendent of Police (Sadar) and Cyber Wing head, Pankaj Kumar Rasgania said, “In the last two years, we have seen a significant rise in investment scams in Meghalaya. One such app, DAAI, promised unrealistic returns of up to 40%, which lured victims into investing.”
The scam has affected over 700 individuals, with some losing lakhs while others invested smaller amounts.
He said, “We are currently investigating the matter to determine the precise number of victims and the total financial loss.”
Initial investigations indicate that the scammers operate from various locations across India, with multiple accounts registered in different regions, including one in Hong Kong.
The police are coordinating with cyber wing experts from different states to determine the extent of the operation.
The scammers employed a simple yet effective tactic, enticing individuals through social media to invest in a scheme promising substantial returns in a short time. Investors were directed to transfer their funds through a fake application called “Datameer,” after which the app would shut down, and the scammers would disappear.
Meghalaya Police is collaborating with cybercrime experts from various police forces nationwide.
While investigating various cyber frauds, the Meghalaya Police’s Cyber Wing, utilizing the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, successfully blocked Rs 2.42 crore from falling into the hands of fraudsters.
Rasgania emphasized that victims who report cyber fraud within 24 hours have a better chance of recovering their funds.
The incident highlights the growing prevalence of cybercrime in Meghalaya and the need for increased awareness and vigilance among the public.
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He advised victims of cybercrime to report incidents immediately through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or by calling the helpline 1930. He stressed that timely reporting significantly increases the chances of recovering lost funds.
