Cybercrime trio busted: Writing and circulating fake letter
Shimla, Aug 29
A cybercrime racket involving three individuals has been busted by the district cyber cell in Shimla, according to Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi. The incident revolved around a allegedly fake letter that was circulated on social media, addressed to CBI Director Parveen Sood, alleging misconduct by the CMD of a Himachal Pradesh government power PSU/ SPV and accusing the current Congress government of illegal fundraising.
After the letter went viral, an FIR was filed against unknown individuals under various sections of the IPC for damaging the image of the CMD through social media. Following a week-long investigation the district cyber security team, discovered that the letter was allegedly authored by Manoj Sharma from Chamba district. Two other individuals involved in the cybercrime were questioned as suspects.
Also read: IAS Officer files FIR over circulation of false and malicious letter aimed at damaging reputation
The police determined that social media was utilized by the trio to spread the alleged fabricated letter authored by Sharma. The investigators were able to locate two of the suspects in Bharmour, Chamba district, leading to their arrests—one in Bharmour and the other in Tissa.
The cyber security unit continues to probe the matter, with the third accused individual currently being interrogated. It was revealed that the author of the letter impersonated an assistant manager of HPPCL by using the name “Anmol Singh Thakur” to falsely represent his identity.
The investigation might uncover whether the suspects have been involved in creating and circulating other similarly falsified viral letters. Notably, the state cyber security staff refrained from making any allegations against the individuals mentioned in the alleged letter, emphasizing that the trio’s actions were aimed at defaming an IAS officer and the government
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