Punjab Police Uncovers MSP Payment Fraud, Arrests Four for Manipulating Anaaj Kharid Portal
Chandigarh, January 9, 2025 – In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Punjab Police’s State Cybercrime Division has uncovered a major scam involving the manipulation of the Anaaj Kharid Portal, a platform for Minimum Support Price (MSP) payments to farmers. Four individuals have been arrested for diverting payments meant for farmers to their personal bank accounts. The police have also recovered digital devices and routers that were used in the commission of the fraud.
According to Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for Cybercrime Division, V. Neeraja, the accused used sophisticated techniques to alter details on the Anaaj Kharid Portal, which processes MSP payments for crops sold by farmers. These individuals exploited the system by swapping the farmers’ mobile numbers with their own, allowing them to update the bank account information. Once the fraudulent transactions were processed, the details were reverted to their original state to evade detection.
How the Scam Was Carried Out
The scam came to light after a complaint was filed by the Food and Civil Supplies Department of Punjab. The complaint reported that several farmers had not received their crop payments during the 2024 paddy season. Investigations revealed that the payments meant for these farmers had been transferred to the bank accounts of unknown individuals.
In the initial phase of the probe, cybercrime experts analyzed the IP records and other digital evidence. This led them to uncover unauthorized access to the Anaaj Kharid Portal and the diversion of payments to multiple accounts. The criminals had also purchased mobile phones under fake identities, which were used to receive One-Time Passwords (OTPs) that allowed them to alter bank account details on the portal.
Furthermore, investigations showed that the operation was being run from remote locations in Sri Muktsar Sahib. An internet connection was set up to facilitate the unauthorized access and manipulation of data on the portal.
Arrests and Recovery of Evidence
The police arrested four key suspects in the case: Manish, Jasvir Singh, Angrej Singh, and Balwinder Singh. These individuals are believed to have been central to the fraudulent activity. During the investigation, police teams recovered digital devices and routers that were used to access the portal and divert the payments. The suspects were apprehended after an extensive search by three teams from the Cybercrime Division, led by Inspectors Jujhar Singh, Deepak Bhatia, and Sub-Inspector Ranjit.
ADGP V. Neeraja emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, with police continuing to conduct raids in different regions, particularly District Moga and District Sri Muktsar Sahib, to apprehend additional individuals involved in the scam. Further questioning of the arrested suspects is expected to shed light on the roles of other accomplices and possibly identify corrupt officials or commission agents who may have facilitated the fraud.
Operation Against Cybercrime and Future Investigations
The Punjab Police’s swift response to this cybercrime is part of an ongoing initiative to tackle digital frauds across the state. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav has directed a series of operations aimed at identifying and neutralizing criminal syndicates involved in such fraudulent activities.
While the arrested individuals have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Act, the police are also investigating the possibility of internal collusion. There are suspicions that officials from the Mandi Board or Food Supply Department might have provided sensitive information to the fraudsters, or that technical glitches within the Anaaj Kharid Portal could have been exploited.
Legal Action and Future Steps
An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the IT Act at the State Cyber Crime Police Station in Punjab. The police are determined to uncover the full extent of the scam and bring all responsible parties to justice.
Case Details:
- Sections Involved: 318(4), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS); Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act.
- Key Charges: Fraud, cybercrime, unauthorized access, and manipulation of digital records.
Ongoing Crackdown on Cybercrime
The Punjab Police are reinforcing their commitment to making the state safer and more secure by targeting cybercriminals who exploit technology for fraudulent activities. By employing advanced investigative techniques and digital forensics, they are working relentlessly to ensure that these criminals face the full force of the law.
As the investigation continues, the police remain vigilant in their efforts to uncover the broader network behind the scam. More arrests are expected in the coming days as they uncover new leads and gather further intelligence.