Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet has made a significant decision to transfer all 41 cases linked to an online trading scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This move follows reports of substantial fraudulent activity that has resulted in losses totaling approximately ₹7,000 crores for investors.
The scam came to light last month when Dipankar Barman, a key figure in the operation, vanished after collecting vast sums of money from unsuspecting investors. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the handover process to the CBI is expected to take about one month, during which time state police will continue their investigations. He also noted that he discussed the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who agreed that CBI involvement was necessary.
The online trading scam involved various individuals across Assam promising lucrative returns on investments, but instead misappropriating funds for personal gain. As a result of complaints from defrauded investors, the police transferred the investigation to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which established a special task force (STF) and registered the 32 cases.
In recent developments, at least 60 individuals have been arrested, who reportedly deceived many, including doctors and celebrities. An Assamese actor, choreographer and social media influencer Sumi Borah and her photographer husband Tarkik Borah are among those arrested in the scam. (with inputs from agencies)