Guwahati, Nov 28: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed another chargesheet against four individuals in connection with the Dibrugarh online trading scam. The accused—Bishal Phukan, Abhijit Chanda, Sumi Bora, and Tapon alias Tarkik Bora—were charged before the Special CBI Court in Guwahati within 90 days of their arrest, adhering to procedural timelines.
In an official statement, the CBI said the case is part of a broader investigation into online trading scams in Assam, undertaken by the investigation agency following a request from the Assam government. Initially, the case was registered at Dibrugarh Police Station under FIR No. 352/2024 on September 2, implicating Bishal Phukan.
Phukan is accused of orchestrating a financial scam in violation of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) guidelines. Allegations suggest that he lured individuals into signing notarized agreements, offering promises of high returns on investments. The funds collected were then reportedly deposited into his personal Demat account, in contravention of SEBI regulations.
The CBI has revealed significant findings in the Dibrugarh online trading scam, highlighting the accused’s alleged role in orchestrating widespread financial fraud. Bishal Phukan, Abhijit Chanda, Sumi Bora, and Tapon alias Tarkik Bora have been charged with operating an illegal deposit scheme under false pretences, soliciting funds from unsuspecting investors.
Investigations unearthed evidence that the accused lured investors with promises of guaranteed 30% returns, using deceptive tactics such as notarized stamp papers and falsified investment reports. The funds were allegedly misappropriated for personal luxuries, defrauding clients who fell victim to the scheme.
The bail application of Sumi Bora was rejected by the Special Judge for CBI Cases in Guwahati on November 19, and she remains in judicial custody. The CBI has also confirmed that the investigation established the involvement of the accused in defrauding the public through manipulative means.
The agency has taken over 41 similar cases in the state, all involving allegations of financial scams targeting investors. The investigation underscores the vast scale of the scam, which allegedly defrauded numerous clients across India.
The CBI has intensified its probe into the Dibrugarh online trading scam and related cases, expanding its investigation across 93 locations in five states and union territories. These extensive searches have resulted in the seizure of mobile phones, desktops, hard drives, and laptops, which are now being analyzed for further evidence.
The investigation has uncovered detailed databases containing the identities of depositors who were lured into investing in unregulated deposit schemes. Many of these individuals fell victim to fraudulent promises of high returns, only to face irregular payments or complete losses over time.
The CBI caught Gopal Paul, the primary accused in a separate but related case involving AJRS Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Paul had been evading capture since the FIR was registered and was located at a hideout in Siliguri. During the arrest, authorities also recovered incriminating evidence tying him to the fraudulent activities.
Since 2018, it has been alleged that the accused collected large sums of money from depositors, offering guaranteed returns in exchange. Depositors were issued documents executed on ₹100 stamp paper as proof of their investments. However, in recent months, numerous complaints have surfaced regarding non-payment or irregular payment of promised returns, exposing the fraudulent nature of the schemes.
