Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in a 26 lakh rupees international online fraud case, unraveling a sophisticated impersonation racket run by an Arunachal Pradesh woman.
Officials said the accused allegedly duped a local businessman through fake social media profiles, forged identity documents and a bogus international business deal, routing the defrauded money through multiple bank accounts
According to a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Crime Branch Kashmir, has filed a chargesheet before the Court of Judge Small Causes, Srinagar, in connection with FIR No. 17/2020, registered under Sections 419, 420, 468, 471 RPC and Section 66-D of the Information Technology Act.
The statement reads, the chargesheet has been submitted against accused Jumbom Riba D/o Henjum Riba, resident of Village Pagi, P.O./P.S. Basar, District Lepa Rada, West Siang, Arunachal Pradesh, for her alleged involvement in a sophisticated online cheating and impersonation racket involving international dimensions.
It reads, the case originated from a written complaint wherein the complainant alleged that he was contacted through social media by a woman identifying herself as Christiana, claiming to be a Secretary with Abbot Pharmaceutical, United Kingdom. On the pretext of offering dealership rights for a product named “Agasina Nut,” purportedly sourced from Arunachal Pradesh, the complainant was induced with promises of high profits and an international purchase agreement. Acting on these assurances, the complainant transferred approximately ₹26.25 lakh into multiple bank accounts. The fraud was further facilitated through a staged and fake demonstration of currency conversion, leading to substantial financial loss.
The statement also reads, during investigation, EOW Kashmir established that the accused used forged and non-genuine identity documents, including fake voter ID cards, to open multiple bank accounts in the names of Tabu Juli and Aisha Kholi across various banks. These accounts were operated by the accused herself and were used for routing, diversion, and withdrawal of funds. Transaction analysis revealed rapid inter-bank transfers and cash withdrawals, with no legitimate source of income to justify the credits.
“The investigation conclusively proved offences of cheating, impersonation, forgery, and use of forged documents as genuine. Accordingly, the investigation has been concluded as proved, and the chargesheet has been produced in absentia under Section 512 CrPC for judicial determination. Economic Offences Wing Kashmir urges people to remain alert & don’t fall prey to fraudsters online & offline,” it reads further.—(KNO)
