Mira Bhayandar: Two women -Sheetal Joshi and Stella Fernandes who had fell prey to the evil designs of cyber crooks by losing Rs 43.46 lakh and Rs 12.68 lakh respectively last year were pleasantly surprised when they received a call from the cyber cell attached to the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police on Monday informing them that their lost money had been recovered.

While Joshi (47) works as a teacher, 64-year-old Fernandes is a retired employee. Joshi got lured to an advertisement posted on social media platforms offering trading tips and guidance about safe investment schemes which would fetch high returns.

After clicking the provided link, she was added to a WhatsApp group in which the crooks posing as stock markets experts offered guidance and tips to members who on their part shared their profit-sharing experiences. Joshi fell for the trap and went on to download a fake trading application on her mobile on which she invested Rs 43.46 lakh via multiple transfer transactions to specified bank accounts within a span of 35 days between 9, November to 13, December last year.

However, she neither got back her investment, nor profit. Upon questioning the group admin asked her to transfer another Rs 30 lakh to get back her money. Realising she had been duped, Joshi registered a complaint at the Bhayandar police station on 21, December, 2023.

Joshi learnt that she was not alone as Stella Fernandes had been cheated of Rs 12.68 lakh by the cyber crooks using a similar modus operandi. An offence under the relevant sections of the IPC and Information Technology Act was registered against the cyber crooks and account holders.

A team led by police inspector (cyber cell)Sujit Kumar Gunjkar started investigations by launching a money trail which led to the arrest of two people-Hrishikesh Kushwaha (28) and Rohit Singh (25) in April last year for their involvement in the crime.

After relentlessly pursuing the cases, the cyber cell finally managed to get orders from the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Thane following which entire lost money amounting Rs 56.14 lakh was reverted to the respective bank accounts of both the women. Meanwhile both the accused are cooling their heels in jail for the past nine months.

MBVV chief- Madhukar Pandey has advised citizens to be aware of investment scams, asking them to avoid suspicious links, WhatsApp calls, and messages from unknown numbers. In case of any cyber-related offences, people can directly approach the local police stations or lodge a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) or call the cybercrime helpline 1930.