Cybercrime
Key Accused in ₹8.1 Crore Cyber Fraud Case Linked to Ex-Punjab IG Dies in Patiala Hospital
Chander Kant, a prime accused in the ₹8.1 crore cyber fraud case connected to retired Punjab Police IG AS Chahal, passed away at Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala on January 9 due to complications from diabetes. The 40-year-old suspect, who had been arrested in Maharashtra and was under judicial remand, died around 4 PM, adding a dramatic twist to the ongoing high-profile investigation.
Twist in a High-Profile Cybercrime Case
Kant was among seven individuals apprehended in Maharashtra, including Lakhan Srichand, Somnath, Ranjit Nambardar, Prateek Uttam, Ashish Kumar Pandey, and Mohammad Sharif. The group allegedly facilitated a network of SIM card activations in India, which were then sent to the UAE to carry out phishing, OTP scams, and banking fraud. Patiala Cyber Crime Police have registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act, including conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and impersonation.
The arrests came shortly after Chahal reportedly attempted self-harm at his Patiala residence on December 22, 2025. The gang’s operations are believed to have caused financial losses totaling ₹8.1 crore. Kant’s health deteriorated during a court remand hearing on January 9, necessitating hospitalization. A post-mortem examination was scheduled for January 10.
Unraveling an International SIM Fraud Network
Investigations indicate that Kant played a central role in sourcing SIM cards domestically, bypassing Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations through intermediaries, and shipping them abroad to UAE-based fraud syndicates. Authorities note that Punjab has increasingly become a hub for such cyber fraud activities, with over 15,000 complaints linked to international scams reported in 2025 alone.
The probe is examining whether Chahal’s involvement was unwitting or coerced, as investigators explore the retired IG’s potential connection to the fraud network.
Police Investigations Continue Amid Setback
Kant’s death has shifted the focus of investigators to the remaining six accused, who remain in judicial custody. Police are tracing financial transactions, conducting CDR (Call Detail Record) analysis, and freezing assets linked to the syndicate. Raids on SIM vendors have intensified as part of a nationwide crackdown under recent Telecom Act amendments.
A forensic audit of Chahal’s electronic devices is ongoing. Meanwhile, Chahal’s family maintains that he had no deliberate involvement in the fraud, citing fears of extortion and coercion.
Broader Implications for Cybercrime Control
The case highlights the pervasive use of SIM mule networks in financial fraud, which account for nearly 70% of such crimes. It also raises concerns about the health risks faced by suspects with chronic illnesses while in custody. Additionally, the investigation is probing possible insider collusion within the Punjab police force, signaling broader challenges in combating organized cybercrime.
Cybercrime
Faridabad Police Arrest Account Holder in Stock Investment Fraud
Faridabad cyber police have arrested a man from Ludhiana in Punjab in connection with a large-scale online investment fraud case involving alleged losses of nearly ₹73.97 lakh. The accused is suspected of facilitating the movement of fraudulent funds collected through fake stock market investment schemes operated via social media platforms.
Authorities say the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into a wider cyber fraud network that targeted victims with promises of high returns through stock trading and pre-IPO investment opportunities.
Victim Lured Through WhatsApp Investment Group
According to police officials, the victim—a resident of Sector 86 in Faridabad—was first contacted through a WhatsApp message containing a link to an investment group. After joining the group, the victim was repeatedly persuaded by fraudsters to invest in stock market schemes promising unusually high profits.
Investigators said the scammers presented themselves as investment advisors and encouraged the victim to transfer money in multiple installments to different bank accounts.
Over time, the victim transferred a total of ₹73,97,600, but no returns were ever provided. When withdrawal attempts failed and communication stopped, the victim reported the matter to cyber police.
Investigation Traces Funds to Firm Account in Ludhiana
During the financial investigation, police traced part of the defrauded money to a business account linked to a transport firm named Janata Trans Co. in Ludhiana.
Authorities identified the account holder as Hansraj Goyal, who was arrested from the Transport Nagar area in Ludhiana. Police said approximately ₹7 lakh from the fraudulent proceeds had been routed through the firm’s bank account.
Investigators believe the account was used as a “mule account” to channel scam proceeds, a common tactic in online financial fraud cases where multiple accounts are used to obscure money trails.
Arrest and Custody for Further Investigation
Following his arrest, the accused was produced before a local court and has been remanded to police custody for further interrogation.
Cyber police officials stated that questioning will focus on identifying:
- Other individuals involved in the fraud network
- Additional bank accounts used to route stolen funds
- Possible links to larger interstate cybercrime operations
Authorities are also working to trace the remaining diverted funds and determine how they were distributed across multiple accounts.
Growing Trend of Online Investment Scams
Officials noted that the case reflects a rising pattern of cyber frauds across India involving fake investment schemes promoted through messaging apps and social media platforms.
In such scams, victims are typically added to WhatsApp or Telegram groups where fraudsters:
- Pose as financial advisors or trading experts
- Promote stock trading or pre-IPO investment opportunities
- Display fake profit screenshots to build trust
- Pressure victims into making repeated deposits
Once significant funds are collected, the scammers either disappear or block access to withdrawal channels.
Conclusion
The Faridabad case highlights the increasing use of digital platforms in financial fraud and the role of intermediary bank accounts in laundering illicit funds. As investigations continue, cyber police are expected to uncover additional links within the wider network responsible for orchestrating the scam.
Authorities have once again urged citizens to exercise caution when responding to unsolicited investment offers received through social media or messaging apps.
Cybercrime
Labour Room Privacy Breach Case Expands Into Major Footage Sale Network
A disturbing hospital privacy breach in Gujarat has expanded into a major cybercrime investigation, after authorities uncovered an alleged interstate network involved in hacking CCTV systems, recording sensitive medical footage, and distributing it through encrypted online platforms for profit.
The case, which initially involved a viral clip from a maternity hospital in Rajkot, has now revealed a broader operation spanning multiple Indian states and international digital channels, with investigators describing it as a coordinated illegal surveillance footage marketplace.
Viral Labour Room Video Triggers Cybercrime Investigation
The incident first came to light on February 17, 2025, when a sensitive video recorded inside a labour room at a maternity hospital in Rajkot surfaced on social media. The clip reportedly showed a healthcare worker attending to a female patient, sparking immediate public concern over patient privacy violations.
Following the emergence of the footage, the Ahmedabad City Cybercrime Branch registered a case and launched a detailed investigation into how restricted CCTV recordings from a medical facility were accessed and circulated online.
Hacked Hospital CCTV System Suspected
Early findings indicated that multiple videos originating from hospital surveillance systems had been leaked. Investigators soon discovered that the breach was not limited to a single incident, but part of a wider pattern involving several clips taken from private medical environments.
Authorities believe the hospital’s CCTV network was compromised externally, allowing unauthorized access to live or stored footage. Importantly, preliminary assessments suggested that hospital staff were not involved in the breach.
Investigators also confirmed that the leaked videos were being actively traded on private Telegram groups, while promotional clips were shared through public platforms to attract buyers.
Illegal Online Market for Sensitive Surveillance Footage
As the probe deepened, police uncovered a structured digital marketplace operating through encrypted messaging platforms. The network allegedly sold CCTV footage depicting patients in vulnerable medical situations, categorizing content and offering it to subscribers for payment.
Reports indicate that:
- Short preview clips were circulated on video-sharing platforms
- Full footage was sold on private Telegram channels
- Prices reportedly ranged between ₹800 and ₹2,000 per video
- Payments were routed through digital wallets, UPI, and gift cards
Investigators identified multiple Telegram groups allegedly involved in distribution, where content was organized and marketed systematically to potential buyers.
Multi-State Arrests and International Links
Police operations soon expanded across several Indian states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Uttarakhand. Multiple arrests were made as investigators tracked digital footprints linked to YouTube channels and Telegram groups involved in distributing the footage.
Authorities also reported that some suspects used virtual phone numbers to communicate with individuals believed to be operating from outside India, including contacts traced to Romania and the United States.
The investigation further revealed alleged coordination between multiple accused individuals who shared hacking tools, CCTV access credentials, and payment instructions through encrypted messaging platforms.
Stronger Legal Charges Including Cyber Terrorism
Initially, suspects were booked under provisions dealing with privacy violations and obscene content under India’s Information Technology laws. However, as the scale and sensitivity of the operation became clear, authorities escalated the charges.
Stronger legal provisions were added, including sections related to cybercrime and cyber terrorism under Indian criminal law frameworks. Officials cited the seriousness of the breach and its long-term psychological and privacy impact on victims and their families as justification for harsher charges.
Investigators also noted evidence suggesting coordinated operations, including:
- Exchange of CCTV hacking tools
- Distribution of access credentials
- Financial transactions through digital channels
- Use of multiple online groups to organize content sales
Digital Footprints Reveal Coordinated Network
Forensic analysis of seized devices reportedly uncovered extensive communication records, financial transactions, and tools linked to unauthorized access of CCTV systems.
Police said multiple hacking applications were found on suspects’ devices, along with data indicating access to DVR systems and surveillance infrastructure from multiple locations.
The case also highlighted how encrypted platforms such as Telegram were allegedly used to organize a structured network involving content creators, distributors, and buyers.
Growing Concerns Over Surveillance Security in Healthcare Facilities
The case has raised serious concerns about the security of CCTV systems in sensitive environments such as hospitals. Experts note that healthcare institutions often store highly sensitive footage, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals.
Cybersecurity analysts warn that weak authentication, outdated firmware, and poorly secured remote access systems can expose surveillance networks to external compromise if not properly secured.
Conclusion
What began as a single viral video from a hospital labour room has evolved into one of the most significant cybercrime investigations in recent years, exposing a suspected multi-state network involved in hacking and monetizing sensitive surveillance footage.
The case highlights critical gaps in digital security infrastructure within healthcare systems and underscores the growing threat posed by cybercriminal networks exploiting private surveillance data for financial gain.
Child Safety & Online Protection
Bhadohi Police Arrest Man for Allegedly Filming Children and Uploading Videos Online
Police in Bhadohi have arrested a man accused of secretly filming children and uploading the recordings on social media platforms in an attempt to gain followers and generate online engagement. The arrest was made after a cybercrime complaint triggered a digital investigation that led authorities to the suspect’s mobile and email records.
Officials say the case highlights the growing misuse of social media platforms for the circulation of sensitive and unauthorized visual content, particularly involving minors.
Cyber Complaint Filed via National Reporting Portal
According to police, the investigation began after a complaint was submitted through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, a government platform used to report online offences.
Cybercrime officials reviewed the social media account mentioned in the complaint and began tracing associated digital identifiers, including linked phone numbers and email addresses. These technical indicators eventually led investigators to a suspect identified as Nabeel Hayat Ansari, a resident of Kurauna village under Aurai police station limits.
He was arrested late Sunday night following confirmation of his alleged involvement.
Allegations of Secret Recording and Online Uploads
Preliminary findings suggest that the accused allegedly recorded children without their knowledge or consent and uploaded the videos to social media platforms over a period of several weeks.
Police stated that the content was reportedly shared on Instagram between mid-January and early April 2026. Investigators believe the uploads were intended to increase visibility and grow the reach of the account.
Authorities are treating both the covert recording and the subsequent online distribution as part of the same alleged offence.
Digital Evidence Led to Arrest
Investigators relied heavily on digital tracing methods, including analysis of:
- Linked mobile phone numbers
- Registered email addresses
- Social media account metadata
- Upload activity timelines
These digital footprints were used to establish a connection between the online account and the accused individual, forming the basis for the arrest.
Officials noted that the case originated entirely from online reporting, demonstrating the increasing role of cybercrime portals in initiating investigations.
Legal Action Under BNS and IT Act
The accused has been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with Section 67B of the Information Technology Act, which addresses the publication or transmission of sexually explicit material involving minors.
Police have not disclosed whether additional suspects are being investigated or whether electronic devices have been seized for forensic analysis. However, officials confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.
Growing Concern Over Misuse of Social Media Platforms
The case has raised renewed concerns about the misuse of social media platforms for unauthorized recording and distribution of sensitive content involving children.
Cybersecurity and law enforcement experts warn that such incidents underscore the need for:
- Stronger platform-level monitoring
- Faster reporting and takedown mechanisms
- Public awareness about digital safety and consent laws
Authorities continue to emphasize strict legal consequences for offences involving the exploitation or unauthorized recording of minors.
Conclusion
The Bhadohi arrest reflects a broader challenge faced by law enforcement agencies as social media platforms are increasingly misused for harmful and illegal content distribution. With investigations ongoing, police are expected to examine additional digital evidence and determine whether more individuals are linked to the case.
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