How a Delhi man cheated US woman of ₹3.34 crore
What's the story
A Delhi man, Lakshay Vij, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding a United States woman of $400,000 (₹3.34 crore) through a cyber scam. The victim, Lisa Roth, received a call on July 4, 2023, from a person claiming to be a "Microsoft agent." The caller convinced Roth to transfer the money to a cryptocurrency wallet. Vij's name first surfaced in March of the previous year when he was apprehended by the Gujarat Police at Cross River Mall in east Delhi.
Laundering details
Modus operandi of money laundering scheme
The money transferred by Roth ended up in the wallets of Praful Gupta and his mother, Sarita Gupta. Further investigation revealed that another individual, Karan Chug, was receiving this money from Gupta and depositing it into various wallets. The funds were then converted into Indian currency through bogus accounts by selling cryptocurrency. The funds were subsequently directed for transfer by Chug and Vij. The duo later used the laundered money on betting apps like Fair Play 24.
Investigation progress
Vij identified as mastermind
The Enforcement Directorate registered a case of money laundering and conducted several raids last month, recovering digital evidence. Statements were also recorded from those who owned the crypto wallets used in the crime. The investigation concluded that all transactions were carried out under Vij's direction, identifying him as the mastermind behind this fraud. Vij has been produced in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court and has been sent on a five-day remand.