The Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Himachal Pradesh has arrested 8 more people, including 4 police officers, in connection with a massive cryptocurrency scam worth Rs 2,500 crore. The scam has affected over 1 lakh people, including 5,000 government employees.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Himachal Pradesh has continued its crackdown on a huge cryptocurrency scam that has duped over 1 lakh people, including 5,000 government employees, of Rs 2,500 crore ($300.45 million).
The SIT has detained 8 more people, including 4 cops, in the scam that has been unfolding since 2018.
SIT Arrests 8 More Suspects, Including 4 Cops
The SIT, led by Director General of Police Abhishek Dullar, has made significant progress investigating the cryptocurrency scam, which involved a fake cryptocurrency called ‘Korvio Coin.’
The SIT has arrested 8 more suspects, including 4 police officers, who were allegedly involved in promoting and facilitating the scam.
The arrested cops are Naresh Kumar of Hamirpur, Sunil Kumar, a jail warder at Bangarh jail, Jyoti, a lady constable posted at Hamirpur, and Balbir Singh, a police personnel posted at Kanda Jail in Shimla.
The other arrested suspects are Ram Kumar Rana, a forest guard from Sujanpur Tihra, Kirshan Dutt from Hamirpur, Neel Dhiman from Baddi, and Gurdeep from Solan.
The SIT has taken the 8 suspects into 5-day police custody for further interrogation. The SIT has also recovered the entire website involved in the crypto scam, which contains the list of people who had invested in the scam.
SIT Nabs Mastermind of the Scam
The SIT had earlier arrested one Abhishek, a resident of Una district, who is believed to be the mastermind of the scam.
Abhishek had allegedly created and marketed the ‘Korvio Coin’ as a lucrative investment opportunity, promising high returns to the investors. He had also recruited agents, including some police officers, to lure more people into the scam.
The scam, which started in 2018, has affected over 1 lakh people who invested their money in the ‘Korvio Coin’ hoping to make profits.
However, they soon realized that they had been cheated, as the ‘Korvio Coin’ turned out to be a worthless token with no value or utility.
SIT Seizes Property Worth Rs 8.5 Crore
The Investigation team has seized property worth Rs 8.5 crore in various places in Himachal Pradesh and Zirakpur, which were allegedly acquired by the scamsters with the money obtained from the scam.
The SIT has also seized 80 mobile phones and other digital devices used in the scam.
The SIT has said that of the total scam amount of Rs 2,500 crore, Rs 500 crore may not be recoverable, as it may have been transferred to foreign accounts or used for other purposes.
The team has also said that it is working with the Punjab Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs to trace and arrest more people involved in the scam.
SIT Warns Investors to Be Careful
The SIT has warned investors to be careful and vigilant before investing in any cryptocurrency or digital asset, as there are many fraudsters and scammers who try to take advantage of the lack of regulation and awareness in the crypto space.
The investigation body has advised investors to do proper research and verification before investing in any company or platform that offers crypto-related products or services.
SIT has also said that it is committed to bringing justice to the victims of the scam and punishing the culprits with strict action. The SIT has said that it will continue its investigation until it unravels the entire network and modus operandi of the scam.
The Himachal Pradesh crypto scam is one of the biggest crypto scams in India, which has exposed the risks and challenges in the unregulated and emerging crypto market.
The scam has also highlighted the need for better investor education and protection, as well as tighter regulations and oversight in the crypto industry.
