'Hello, I'm from Microsoft': How Delhi Man Duped US Woman of Rs 3.3 Crore, Now in ED Custody

A young man from Delhi contacted an American woman in July last year posing as a Microsoft representative and persuaded her to transfer Rs 3.3 crore ($400,000) to a cryptocurrency wallet under false pretenses. The victim, Lisa Roth, was unaware of the deception until she reported the incident, prompting an international response involving the foreign ministries of both countries. Subsequently, a complaint filed by Roth led to an FIR in Gujarat and triggered an investigation, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) joining due to the involvement of cryptocurrency in the illegal transaction.

After a year-long pursuit, the ED recently apprehended Lakshya Vij, a bookie and cryptocurrency handler residing in Dilshad Garden, Delhi. Gujarat Police took him into custody at Cross River Mall in East Delhi, amid allegations of improper intervention by a senior Delhi Police officer in a prior release.

Who Received The Money?

Investigations unveiled the recipients of the funds: Lisa Roth’s transferred money ended up in the wallets of Praful Gupta and his mother, Sarita Gupta. Further scrutiny disclosed that Gupta transferred these funds to Karan Chug who subsequently distributed them across various wallets. These funds were later channelled into fictitious accounts through cryptocurrency transactions orchestrated by Karan and Lakshya. Subsequently, the funds were utilised on betting platforms such as Fair Play 24.

The Mastermind Behind The Scam

Lakshya emerged as the mastermind behind the operation. Last month, the investigating agency filed a case of money laundering and conducted raids at multiple locations, seizing digital evidence. Statements from owners of the implicated cryptocurrency wallets were also documented. The investigation uncovered that funds were directed into these wallets under Lakshya’s direction, establishing his central role in the fraud. Lakshya, identified as the primary accused, was presented before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court and remanded to Enforcement Directorate custody for five days upon their request.