Immigration officer loses Rs 79 lakh in cryptocurrency investment fraud
Mumbai (PTI): A 41-year-old immigration officer working at Malaysia's consulate general office in Mumbai has lost nearly Rs 79 lakh in a cryptocurrency investment scam, police said on Thursday.
The victim approached the police authorities around one-and-a-half years after the incident, citing severe mental stress and fear of social stigma, officials from the East Region Cyber Police said.
In January 2024, the officer was added to a WhatsApp group named "EG Plan", which regularly shared information about share trading. With basic knowledge of stock trading, he found the group's posts convincing. Acting on the instructions in the group, he registered on a company website and began investing, an official said.
Over the time, he transferred the money into more than 18 different bank accounts via online transactions and RTGS. Initially, he received Rs 1.69 lakh as returns, which increased his confidence in the scheme. Between April 2024 and June 2025, he invested approximately Rs 78.85 lakh in what he believed was cryptocurrency trading, he added.
When he attempted to withdraw his investment and profits, the fraudsters allegedly demanded an additional Rs 18 lakh as "processing fee". But after he refused to pay, all the communication was cut off.
He later informed his bank, which advised him to approach the police.
Based on his complaint, a case was registered against 10 unidentified individuals under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act.
Police are currently tracing the bank accounts where the funds were transferred and identifying the account holders, the official said, adding that investigation was underway.
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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
