Poultry supplier duped of Rs2.4 million

A second suspect is still at large, with raids under way for his arrest

RAWALPINDI:

An alleged fraud involving millions of rupees through fake bank transaction receipts has been exposed in Rawalpindi, where a team of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested one suspect, while raids are under way to apprehend another.

According to sources, a new case of cybercrime involving fake bank transaction and WhatsApp receipts has emerged in Rawalpindi, in which a citizen was allegedly defrauded of Rs2.396 million in the name of payment for poultry supplies.

Following a complaint received during an e-kachehri held by NCCIA Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, Deputy Director and Investigation Officer of NCCIA Rawalpindi Faheem Shehzad took action. After an inquiry, a case was registered against two suspects, identified as Aqib and Ehsan, for their alleged involvement in the fraud.

According to officials, the suspect, who operated a shop under the name of Awan Chicken in a private housing society's Phase VIII, was found allegedly involved in the fraud.

The suspects have been accused of preparing and using fake and edited bank transaction receipts. The second suspect allegedly prepared fake receipts and sent them through WhatsApp, deceiving the poultry supplier by creating the impression that payments had been made.

During the inquiry, WhatsApp conversations between the suspects and the allegedly forged receipts also came to light. Technical analysis of mobile phones revealed important evidence of the alleged cyber fraud, while an examination of business accounts also established an alleged outstanding payment of Rs2.396 million.

Following the findings, the NCCIA registered a case under various sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Officials said a suspect named Aqib had been arrested, while raids to apprehend the second suspect, Ehsan, and further investigation into the case were under way.