Category Archives: cybersecurity

crime, cybersecurity, education, social media, student behavior

Indore News: IET Seniors Forced Juniors To Create Fake Social Media Accounts, Vandalise Hostel

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**Senior Students at IET Allegedly Coerce Juniors into Posting Defamatory Content and Vandalism**

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): In a shocking revelation, senior students at the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) have allegedly forced their juniors to create fake social media accounts and post defamatory content against the institute and Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV).

According to reports, the juniors were also compelled to vandalise hostel property, including CCTV cameras and DVRs.

The institute’s Anti-Ragging Committee initiated an investigation following complaints of alleged ragging. Preliminary findings suggest that final-year students coerced juniors into creating fake Instagram, X, and Facebook accounts. The juniors were instructed to make two to three posts daily targeting the institution.

Sources reveal that the seniors summoned the juniors to a café outside the campus, where they threatened them and issued strict instructions via a WhatsApp group. These instructions detailed the juniors’ conduct in the hostel as well as the content that needed to be posted online.

During the inquiry, mobile phone checks uncovered chat records confirming the seniors’ orders. The committee has identified final-year students Adarsh Makwana, Aditya Sharma, Aman Patel, and Vivek Sharma as the prime accused in this matter.

The Anti-Ragging Committee has recommended recovering damages from the juniors who carried out the vandalism. Meanwhile, the university has decided to file a formal complaint at Bhawarkuan police station over attempts to malign the institution’s reputation.

Police are currently conducting a detailed probe into the case. Further updates are awaited as the investigation progresses.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/indore-news-iet-seniors-forced-juniors-to-create-fake-social-media-accounts-vandalise-hostel

business, crime, cybersecurity, entertainment, law

ED Files Supplementary Prosecution Complaint Against Raj Kundra In ₹6,606 Crore Bitcoin Scam

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**Mumbai:** The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has submitted a supplementary prosecution complaint against Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty’s husband and businessman Raj Kundra in connection with the money laundering probe related to a Rs 6,606 crore bitcoin scam involving the Delhi-based company Variabletech Pvt Ltd (VTPL).

### ED’s Allegations

The agency alleges that Kundra received 285 bitcoins worth Rs 150.47 crore in April 2024 from Amit Bharadwaj, director of VTPL, who passed away while the case was pending. The bitcoins were reportedly intended for setting up a Bitcoin mining farm in 2017. However, as the deal could not materialise, the ED claims Kundra still possesses the bitcoins, which allegedly constitute proceeds of crime.

Furthermore, the ED states that Kundra has refused to share any details regarding these transactions.

### Property Transactions Linked

In addition to the bitcoin allegations, the ED claims Kundra purchased immovable properties in Juhu and Pune using the proceeds of crime. It is also alleged that Kundra transferred these properties into the name of his wife, Shilpa Shetty, at half their market value.

The agency has filed a second supplementary prosecution complaint not only against Kundra but also against a Delhi-based businessman, Rajesh Satija, as part of its ongoing probe.

### Conflicting Versions and Investigation Details

The ED uncovered several inconsistencies in Kundra’s explanation about the receipt of bitcoins from Amit Bharadwaj. According to the prosecution complaint, Amit had transferred 285 bitcoins to Kundra for investment in a joint venture aimed at setting up a new Bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine.

In statements recorded in April and June 2018, Amit claimed that he was approached by Kundra and Shetty for this joint venture, for which they sought $2.25 million in bitcoin. Amit said he had transferred $1 million (approximately 300 bitcoins) by the end of July 2017, with the remaining amount expected after the agreement was finalized.

While Kundra admitted to receiving the funds, he claimed he was merely a mediator between his Israeli friend Shlomi Amouyal (alias Tom) and Amit. Kundra said that Amit transferred the bitcoins to Tom’s wallets, and the deal was later cancelled when Amit failed to send the remaining amount.

Amit, however, stated that he spoke to Tom, who identified himself as a tech contact for Kundra. The ED also noted that Kundra refused to provide wallet details, citing loss of information due to phone issues in 2018, during the ongoing investigation.

### ED’s Findings and Actions

The ED pointed out glaring mismatches in the versions presented by Amit and Kundra. It revealed that Kundra had sent a term sheet to Amit, which acted as an agreement but did not mention Tom. The agency rejected Kundra’s claim of being only a mediator.

According to the ED, “It is clear that the deal to establish Bitcoin mining farms was made between Kundra and Amit (through his father Mahendra Bharadwaj). Since the deal did not materialise, Kundra is still in possession and enjoyment of 285 Bitcoins valued at Rs 150.47 crore.”

The agency further alleged that Kundra deliberately withheld wallet addresses and failed to surrender the 285 bitcoins.

The ED is actively investigating money laundering allegations against VTPL and its directors, Ajay Bhardwaj and his late brother Amit Bhardwaj. They are accused of luring investors by promising high returns in bitcoins and cryptocurrency developed by them, reportedly amassing 80,000 bitcoins (worth Rs 6,606 crore in November 2017) through the Bhardwaj family and other MLM agents.

### Case Background

In April last year, ED had attached several properties linked to Kundra, including five flats in the Ocean View Society on Juhu Tara Road worth Rs 82 crore, and a bungalow in Pune valued at Rs 11 crore. These properties were transferred in Shilpa Shetty’s name.

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/ed-files-supplementary-prosecution-complaint-against-raj-kundra-in-6606-crore-bitcoin-scam

banking, crime, cybersecurity, india, law enforcement

78-year-old former banker loses Rs 23 crore after being under `digital arrest`

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On August 1, Malhotra received a call from a man claiming to represent a mobile connection company. The caller alleged that his Aadhaar Card had been misused in Mumbai to obtain a connection linked to terror funding cases.

“They told me I needed to speak with the Mumbai Police, and if the authorities approved, the connection would continue; otherwise, it would be disconnected and the matter reported,” Malhotra told PTI.

The scammers pressured him, claiming his Aadhaar was linked to terror funding, terror activities, and other serious offences. “They warned me not to inform anyone, including my family, or they too would be treated as co-accused,” he said.

Initially, the imposters sought information about Malhotra’s savings. “They asked how much I had in my bank accounts. I said around Rs 14 lakh. They told me to transfer it for verification, assuring me it would be returned,” he recounted.

After each transfer, the fraudsters sent him forged certificates purporting to be from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), PTI reported. As their demands grew, they asked about his mutual funds, systematic investment plans (SIPs), and other assets, claiming they were verifying them under Bombay High Court guidelines.

“They said they would verify 25 per cent of my assets first, then proceed with the rest. They threatened that my family would be named co-accused if I didn’t comply,” Malhotra said.

Under constant pressure, he visited three banks, liquidated his investments, and transferred the proceeds to accounts provided by the scammers. Each time, they issued more fake RBI certificates. Between August 1 and September 4, Malhotra was confined to his home, venturing out only to visit banks.

On September 14, the fraudsters claimed that the Mumbai Police officer investigating his case was compromised and demanded another Rs 5 crore, allegedly on behalf of the Supreme Court, to be deposited into a private bank in West Bengal. Malhotra refused, saying he would approach the police directly. After this, the calls abruptly stopped.

Realising he had been defrauded, Malhotra approached the authorities on September 19. “I spent my life savings building security for my old age. In one month, it all disappeared because I trusted the wrong people. I hope my story serves as a warning,” he said, holding back tears.

The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of Delhi Police, which handles cyber fraud cases, is investigating. Police have so far frozen Rs 2.67 crore in several accounts.

“The funds were layered across multiple accounts and withdrawn from different parts of the country to evade detection. Over 4,000 accounts were used to siphon off the money,” an officer privy to the investigation said. “We will crack the case soon and arrest those behind the scam.”
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/78-year-old-ex-banker-loses-rs-23-crore-to-cyber-fraudsters-was-held-under-digital-arrest-23595438