Jaipur: Recent arrests by Rajasthan police have unveiled a sophisticated network of cybercriminals involved in digital arrest scams. The Special Operations Group (SOG), alongside district police, dismantled four gangs engaged in large-scale fraud activities. These investigations revealed how criminals had duped victims, funneled stolen funds, and utilized digital currency to transfer proceeds abroad, as stated by police officers.
Last week, authorities apprehended Dr. Anand Soni, a dentist, and his associate for their alleged roles in 51 cyber fraud cases across multiple states. On December 15, fifteen individuals, including teachers and accountants, were arrested during the operation. The DIG of SOG, Paris Deshmukh, revealed, "Many were lured by promises of quick and easy money. Each member had specific duties, from renting bank accounts to laundering money through cryptocurrency.”
Investigators discovered the illicit proceeds were often converted to USDT, making tracking the transactions challenging. Sources indicated the SOG is probing the transfer of funds to international accounts controlled by masterminds based primarily outside India, including nations like Cambodia, China, Dubai, and Taiwan.
A senior police officer remarked, "Digital currency transactions are anonymous and often pass through various wallets before reaching their final destination, typically overseas accounts.” This decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies presents significant hurdles for law enforcement agencies.
Adding to the drama, victims were often targeted through impersonation scams, receiving fake messages and calls from individuals pretending to be from enforcement agencies such as the ED or CBI, insisting they were under investigation. The organized manner of these operations showcased the complex structure within which the cybercriminals worked, from low-level recruits to high-level masterminds coordinating the entire operation.
Meanwhile, on December 15, ten students collapsed at a coaching center located in Gopalpura, prompting the formation of a six-member committee by JMC-G. Their investigation could not pinpoint the cause of the incident but found no evidence of negligence at the institution. Following the incident, JMC-G sealed the coaching center, and samples of water were collected for analysis.
The committee's report confirmed, "CCTV footage showed no suspicious activity,” and both the building’s sewage system and fire safety measures were compliant. Despite extensive examinations, the cause of the incident remained undetermined, with speculations about potential gas-like odors due to overcrowding.
On the entertainment front, the recently released film, Baby John, featuring Varun Dhawan, opened to decent box office numbers but faced fierce competition from Pushpa 2, which continues to thrive even after three weeks of its release. While Baby John managed to scoop up Rs 11-12 crore on its opening day, Pushpa 2 grossed Rs 14 crore.
Sparking fresh controversy, viral videos from the Raj Mandir theatre showed patrons who had purchased tickets for Pushpa 2 forced to watch Baby John. Upon arrival, viewers discovered their screening had been canceled with no prior notice from the theater or ticket platform BookMyShow. Outraged audiences demanded refunds, asserting the theater staff claimed the decision to change the screening stemmed from the producers and was out of their hands.
This scenario adds to the woes of the theatrical release battle between these two films, which previously had contention concerning the distribution of screens at top cinema chains.
Lastly, Raffles Jaipur lit up the holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, celebrating the spirit of joy and togetherness through festive decor and live entertainment. Guests delighted in mulled wine and Christmas-themed snacks as they gathered to share the holiday warmth.
General Manager Binny Sebastian highlighted the significance of this event, stating, “The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony marks the start of our cherished traditions at Raffles Jaipur, bringing the festive spirit alive for our guests.” The event concluded with luxurious hampers presented to the attendees, showcasing the venue's commitment to creating unforgettable experiences during this joyous season.
These events across Jaipur capture the city's rich fabric of culture, community responses to challenges, and the vibrant activities keeping its spirit alive.
