Two arrested for online medicines fraud targeting Punjab residents; ₹2.66 lakh traced to bank accounts

Image for the purpose of representation only. | Photo Credit: File Two 22-year-old men have been arrested by the Delhi Police for facilitating an online fraud in which Punjab residents were duped of over ₹83,000 on the pretext of purchasing health supplements and medicines through a fake website. The police have traced fraudulent transactions worth ₹2.66 lakh to two bank accounts allegedly used to receive the money and recovered a phone containing the website link and WhatsApp conversations between the accused.The accused were identified as Hiten Kumar, a resident of Greater Kailash in Delhi, and Ayush Arya, who lives in Indirapuram, Uttar Pradesh. Both are aged 22.The case came to light after a resident of Amritsar, Dharamvir Singh, alleged that he was cheated of ₹83,257 after placing orders for health supplements and medicines through www.openlifevedixa.com. He made the payments between September 27 and 30, but the promised products were never delivered, according to the police.Following his complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, an FIR was registered at the Cyber Police Station, East District, on October 21 under Sections 112(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.According to the police, an investigation into the financial transactions and bank account details led them to an SBI account held by Ayush Arya. Further scrutiny revealed another account associated with a woman known to him. A total of ₹2,66,437 had been credited to the two accounts in connection with the fraud.During interrogation, Ayush disclosed that he had shared his bank account details, along with those of the woman, with his cousin Hiten in exchange for a 10% commission. The money received in the accounts was withdrawn through ATMs and handed over to Hiten after deducting the commission, the police said.Hiten was subsequently arrested on October 21. During questioning, he disclosed his association with another person who was operating the website and facilitating the sale of health supplements and medicines through it.The police said the website operator’s identity and the involvement of other associates were being investigated. The woman linked to one of the bank accounts was also examined during the investigation.An examination of the phone recovered from Ayush revealed the website link and WhatsApp conversations between the two accused. The device is being further examined to retrieve communications and identify other people involved in the operation, the police said.The police suspect that more people and multiple bank accounts may have been involved in the fraud. The number of victims and the complete financial trail are being ascertained.The East District Police have advised people to purchase medicines and health supplements only through verified platforms and verify sellers before making online payments. They have also urged citizens to report suspected cyber financial fraud on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or by calling the 1930 helpline. Published - October 31, 2026 07:45 pm IST