Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has busted a major online supply scam involving ₹46.90 lakh, after uncovering that a Pune-based individual posing as the proprietor of a firm named D.K. Enterprises defrauded a local complainant on the pretext of supplying “Sifine Natural Nut.”
According to officials, the Economic Offences Wing received a written complaint from a Srinagar-based businessman who alleged that the accused, claiming to be the owner of D.K. Enterprises, had approached him with a lucrative business offer. The alleged fraudster assured the supply of Sifine Natural Nut and convinced the complainant to pay an advance sum of ₹46.90 lakh.
However, despite receiving the payment, the consignment was never delivered, raising suspicion of foul play. The complainant, after repeated failed attempts to contact the supplier, approached Crime Branch Kashmir for legal intervention.
Following the complaint, a preliminary inquiry was initiated, during which investigators found that the accused had used deceitful tactics to establish fake credentials and misrepresented D.K. Enterprises as a legitimate supplier. The inquiry further revealed that the accused deliberately fabricated communication records and supply documents to gain the complainant’s trust.
A Crime Branch officer said that the accused manipulated online platforms and forged business credentials to present the fraudulent enterprise as genuine. “The suspect created a deceptive supply narrative, induced the complainant to transfer a substantial amount, and then vanished without fulfilling the order,” the officer stated.
Officials added that the scam bears the hallmarks of a sophisticated digital fraud operation, involving the misuse of online business directories, fake invoices, and digital communication channels to deceive potential buyers.
The investigation team has established that the fraudulent transaction was executed using online payment channels, further bringing the offence under the purview of cybercrime provisions. Based on the prima facie evidence, officials said the case discloses the commission of cognizable offences punishable under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (cheating) read with Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act (cheating by personation using computer resources).
Accordingly, cognizance has been taken and a formal case has been registered at Police Station Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir). The case is now under active investigation, and efforts are being made to trace the accused and uncover any potential network behind the fraudulent enterprise. [KNT]
