The arrest has been made in connection with an FIR registered on December 25, 2025, at Cyber Crime Police Station, Chandigarh. (File Photo)Cracking a fake traffic challan-related cyber fraud, the Cyber Crime Police of Chandigarh has arrested a 23-year-old accused who allegedly duped a city resident of Rs 3.26 lakh and laundered the stolen money by converting it into gift cards and online gold.The arrested accused has been identified as Devansh Goyal, 23, a resident of Gurugram, Haryana.The arrest has been made in connection with an FIR registered on December 25, 2025, at Cyber Crime Police Station, Chandigarh.According to the complaint lodged by Ramesh Singh Rawat, a resident of Maloya, Chandigarh, he received a WhatsApp message from an unknown mobile number containing a link entitled “MPparivahan APK,” which appeared to be related to a pending traffic challan. Believing the message to be genuine, the complainant clicked on the link.Soon after, his mobile phone started malfunctioning and became unresponsive, indicating the installation of malicious software. He then began receiving multiple OTPs, calls and messages from unknown numbers. Subsequently, unauthorised transactions were detected from his credit cards.Police said Rs 1,36,294 was fraudulently withdrawn from the complainant’s AU Small Finance Bank credit card, while Rs 1,90,000 was illegally debited from his ICICI Bank credit card. The total amount cheated came to Rs 3,26,294. It was alleged that important banking messages, OTPs and transaction alerts were deliberately deleted from the victim’s mobile phone to delay detection of the fraud.During the investigation, the Cyber Police found that the defrauded amount was first used to purchase gift cards, which were subsequently redeemed to buy online gold. The gold coins were later delivered in the Delhi-NCR region, indicating a planned attempt to conceal and launder the proceeds of crime.Police have also found that SIM cards used in the fraud were linked to the delivery of the gold, helping police trace the accused.Story continues below this adThe accused was arrested from Gurugram. During the arrest, the police recovered an iPhone 13 Pro Max along with a mobile number allegedly used in the commission of the cyber fraud.Police officials said the case is at an initial stage and further custodial interrogation of the accused will help trace the complete money trail, and identify and apprehend other members of the cyber fraud racket.DSP (Cyber Crime) A Venkatesh said that people should avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading APK files, especially those claiming to be related to traffic challans, Parivahan services or other government departments, as such messages are commonly used to trap unsuspecting victims.Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd