Suffolk Trading Standards in the United Kingdom has issued a warning to WhatsApp users that fraudsters are targeting them through fake messages.

Beware! THIS WhatsApp scam lets cybercriminals steal all your money - Know how to stop it

People are being scammed through various tricks on the most used messaging app. Whatsapp has become a platform for cyber fraud nowadays. The recent scam on WhatsApp is the cybercriminals pretending to be family members. Suffolk Trading Standards, a government institute of the UK has warned WhatsApp users that fraudsters are pretending to be one of their family members and targeting them through fake messages.

In a recent incident, a woman residing in Kessingland received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number, claiming to be her daughter. The fraudster tried to convince the mother that she had fallen into the washroom and that this is her new contact number. Con-person requested money from the mother as she was required to pay a bill and she couldn't access her account. Fortunately, the mother didn't fall for the con and called her daughter by other means.

Suffolk County Council shared some losses to WhatsApp scams and other frauds. The Council said, "..It is estimated that Pounds 5 billion to Pounds 10 billion is lost to scams each year in the UK. Scams may occur through phone calls, letters, emails, the internet or at your door."

How to know if it's a WhatsApp scam or not?

- Scammers may pretend to be your family member, relative or friend, always confirm and never fall for that.

- Scammers will try to get your financial details.

- The fraudster will create such a situation and will put you under pressure to fall for the scam easily.

- The scammer will also ask to keep the conversation a secret.

How to avoid being the victim of a scam?

- The scammer will pretend to be your family member or friend, don’t fall for it and verify the identity immediately.

- Try to understand the texting style to know if the person is really your known person or not.

- Never share your OTP even if they seem to be bank employees and never share your bank account information.

- If you get to know the scam or a cyber-fraudster, report them immediately. Users may also report directly through WhatsApp by going to Settings - Help and then Contact Us. Share your situation and report the scam.

The portal claimed that the office of AG of Mauritius sent 'bogus' receipts allegedly raised by firms linked to Gupta to the CBI on October 11, 2018.

Reported By:DNA Web Team| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA Web Desk |Updated: Nov 09, 2021, 09:40 AM IST

Rafale manufacturer Dassault paid EUR 7.5 million to middleman to secure deal: Report

In some shocking revelations made by a French portal, Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of the Rafale fighter aircraft had paid a whopping 7.5 million euros to 'intermediary' between 2007 and 2012 to help it secure a multi-billion deal with India for the sale of Rafale fighter jets. The 'intermediary' in question is Sushen Gupta's Mauritius company Interstellar Technologies.

But what comes as even more shocking is the fact that the portal has claimed that the office of the Attorney General of Mauritius had sent 'bogus' receipts allegedly raised by firms linked to Gupta to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on October 11, 2018. The portal has shared an image of the letter from the Mauritius AG's office to the CBI.

It goes on to say that the documents were received by the CBI a week after a complaint was filed on the suspicious activity that took place from 2015 with regard to the deal. Indian investigative agencies however decided not to pursue the case, the French portal claims. 

The portal had earlier reported that middleman Sushen Gupta had supplied classified documents to Dassault Aviation on the activities of the Indian negotiating team. Gupta has been charge-sheeted by the Enforcement Directorate in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case.

Meanwhile, the CBI, Ministry of Defence, Dassault Aviation is yet to comment on the claims and charges made in the French portal's report.

"This was how Indian detectives discovered that Sushen Gupta had also acted as an intermediary for Dassault Aviation over the Rafale deal. His Mauritian company Interstellar Technologies received at least 7.5 million euros from the French aviation firm between 2007 and 2012, thanks to IT contracts that were clearly overbilled, and from which most of the money was discreetly sent to Mauritius using a system of alleged false invoices. Some of these invoices even got the name of the French company wrong, referring instead to 'Dassult Aviation'," the portal reported.

The portal raises fingers on both the UPA and NDA governments as a set of documents showed that Gupta received the 'secret commission' between 2007 and 2012 when the Congress-led UPA government was in power. On the other hand, the report also states that other documents obtained by Indian detectives show that in 2015, during the final negotiations of the Rafale contract, Sushen Gupta got hold of confidential documents from India's Ministry of Defence.

Crimes are classified as cognizable and cognizable crimes.

How do you file a complaint with the police?

In case of any crime, loss or theft of any item, a complaint has to be lodged at the police station. It will be easier for you to file a complaint if you know how to file this complaint.

You can lodge a complaint at any police station. The police cannot force you to lodge a complaint at a police station in the same area if a crime is committed in the same area. It is the responsibility of the police to register a complaint and take it to the appropriate police station.

You can also lodge your complaint in writing when you go to lodge a complaint. Undetectable crimes can be reported on the Mumbai Police website. However, it is mandatory for the police to immediately give the receipt of a cognizable FIR or NC to the complainant, whether it is a cognizable offense or not.

What is the difference between cognizable and non-cognizable crimes?

1) Crimes are classified as cognizable and cognizable crimes. Crimes like burglary, burglary, car theft, accident, gold chain theft, assault, rape, murder, attempted murder, ransom are notable.

2) A case has to be registered at the police station.

3) A copy of the FIR is given to the complainant free of cost after filing a complaint of a notifiable offense.

4) Minor offenses fall into undetectable type. It can also be recorded on the police website.

5) Police cannot investigate unsolved crimes without a court order.

For female complainants

1) If the complainant is a woman, it is mandatory for the police to take immediate notice and immediately investigate and arrest the accused.

2) Women complainants have the right to lodge a complaint over the phone at the police station at night. In such cases, the police can register a complaint in the presence of women police.

3) The police cannot ask questions that would make a woman feel insulted, ashamed or have doubts about her character, while tarnishing her reputation.

 The creators of the world’s largest cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme have been charged by US authorities with defrauding investors of more than $2bn (£1.45bn).

BitConnect was charged by two US prosecutors of operating "a textbook" Ponzi scheme by paying earlier investors with money from later investors. It is believed to be the largest cryptocurrency fraud to be subject to criminal charges.

The US Department of Justice said BitConnect's US promoter and director, Glenn Arcaro, pleaded guilty to charges brought in California, and now faces up to 20 years in prison.

US attorney Randy Grossman said: “Arcaro and his confidantes preyed on investor interest in cryptocurrency. As a result, a staggering number of individuals lost an enormous amount of money.”

The Department of Justice said Mr Arcaro admitted he earned $24m from BitConnect, which he must now repay to investors.

Separately, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed fraud charges against BitConnect's founder, Satish Kumbhani, in New York. 

Lara Shalov Mehraban, associate regional director of the Securities and Exchange Commission, said: "We allege that these defendants stole billions of dollars from retail investors around the world by exploiting their interest in digital assets. We will aggressively pursue and hold accountable those who engage in misconduct in the digital asset space."

BitConnect was available to trade on major cryptocurrency exchanges. It had an opaque corporate structure, which included a UK based company, BitConnect Ltd, and a US branch. The whereabouts of its founder, Mr Kumbhani, is currently unknown.

The company claimed to use a “trading bot” to generate automated returns for users who bought its cryptocurrency. But the business shut down suddenly in January 2018, causing the price of its coin to collapse to zero and leaving thousands of buyers with nothing. 

'So much money you'll have a hard time counting it'

The cryptocurrency scam gained worldwide attention when a promotional video for the digital coin went viral as it hosted an event in Thailand. 

The video featured the company's flamboyant spokesperson, Carlos Matos, repeatedly shouting “BitConnect” to an audience that was viewed millions of times.

In the video, Mr Matos tells attendees: “I am saying to so many people who say that this is going to be a con artist's game. That my wife still doesn’t believe in me. I am telling her, no honey this is real.

“People are going to be making so much money that they are going to have a real hard time counting it. I love BitConnect!”

Mr Matos later said he did not realise BitConnect was a scam and had invested money himself. He has not been named by US authorities.

The $2bn cost of BitConnect ranks it as one of the world’s largest Ponzi schemes, although some way below Bernie Madoff’s $65bn fraud uncovered in 2008. 

The value of BitConnect’s token soared in value as the price of Bitcoin skyrocketed in December 2017, before its founders disappeared.

Three years after the firm's exit scam, US authorities said that after duping investors out of funds, BitConnect siphoned investor funds to digital wallets controlled by its team. It built a network of promoters around the world and rewarded them by paying commissions.

Mr Kumbhani, Mr Arcaro and Mr Matos could not be reached for comment.

His decision to call a snap election has backfired disastrously

 Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is fighting for his political life. His decision to bring down his minority government and call an early election has seriously backfired. His Liberals are behind in the polls to the Conservatives, and are sinking fast.

Many Canadians are furious about voting during Covid-19. They’re irritated with Trudeau’s wasteful spending on expensive programmes like a national carbon tax and childcare plan. But above all, they’re tired of the smug, know-it-all attitude of this sire of political royalty (his late father also served as PM) who, before politics, had accomplished next to nothing in life.

When Trudeau was elected Prime Minister in 2015, he became the darling of the Left-liberal elite. They viewed him as a natural replacement to former US President Barack Obama. They believed he would enthusiastically promote issues like the environment, feminism, and wealth taxes. They hoped he would become a beacon of light who used compassion to tame rogue states, totalitarian nations and terrorists. Trudeau was “woke” before most of us had even heard of the word.

Many people saw right through this nonsense, of course. Trudeau wasn’t a leader. He had briefly taught French, maths and drama at a Vancouver-based private school, dropped out of a master’s degree in environmental geography, and dabbled in politics when it suited his purposes. He won his seat in Quebec by under 1,200 votes in 2008. He was elected Liberal leader five years later because the party had dropped to third place and thought his surname would pique interest.

This doesn’t take away from Trudeau’s election victory in 2015. He and his team rebuilt a shattered party, and fairly beat former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper. But while Lefties believed they had found a progressive champion, the rest knew his hubris was built on hot air.

Canada’s economy has weakened under his leadership. He’s spent taxpayer money like a drunken sailor on public services, while private sector involvement has severely diminished. Emergency relief measures during Covid-19 pushed the federal deficit up from C$21.77 billion C$314 billion in 2020 – and it’s racing towards C$380-400 billion this fiscal year. His plan to raise the corporate tax rate on banks and insurers from 15 to 18 per cent could crush the housing market and lower Canada’s credit rating.

Trudeau’s public image has also taken a beating. Thanks to three older instances of him wearing blackface, and spats with (mostly) female MPs and cabinet ministers which have led opponents to call him a “fake feminist”, he has been accused of hypocrisy. But more often he just comes across as ridiculous – for example for using silly phrases such as “she-conomy,” “she-cession” and “peoplekind.”

That’s why many Canadians are fed up with all things Trudeau. If this trend continues to the September 20 election, the final chapter of his lacklustre political career will be written – and his fall from grace will be complete.

Michael Taube is a columnist for Troy Media and Loonie Politics and was a speechwriter for Stephen Harper

 क्रिप्टो करेंसी में निवेश के नाम पर 50 करोड़ ठगे

सार

अमेरिका में बैठे मास्टरमाइंड ने पहले ट्विटर पर कोर्स का विज्ञापन निकाला और फिर टेलीग्राम पर ग्रुप बनाकर क्रिप्टो करेंसी में निवेश का झांसा दिया।

विस्तार

ऑनलाइन गेम के बाद अब ट्रेडिंग का कोर्स सिखाकर नौकरी दिलाने के नाम पर दिल्ली-एनसीआर समेत देशभर के लोगों से 50 करोड़ से अधिक की ठगी का मामला सामने आया है। अमेरिका में बैठे मास्टरमाइंड ने पहले ट्विटर पर कोर्स का विज्ञापन निकाला और फिर टेलीग्राम पर ग्रुप बनाकर क्रिप्टो करेंसी में निवेश का झांसा दिया। अंत में एप बनाकर ठग लिया। ठगी का शिकार हुएपीड़ित की तहरीर पर विजयनगर पुलिस ने ठग कंपनी केसीईओ, उसके डायरेक्टर पिता, पार्टनर और मैनेजर के खिलाफ धोखाधड़ी की रिपोर्ट दर्ज की है।

अकबरपुर बहरामपुर निवासी विनीत का कहना है कि उन्होंने दिसंबर 2020 में ट्विटर पर एक विज्ञापन देखा था। इसमें स्क्वीक्स टेक्नोलॉजी सर्विसेज प्राइवेट लिमिटेड द्वारा 500 लोगों को विदेशी मुद्रा प्रशिक्षण और नौकरी की पेशकश की गई। बहमती बास गांधीनगर, गुजरात निवासी नील उर्फ हितेष पटेल कंपनी का सीईओ था। उसने ट्रेडिंग के कोर्स के दो प्लान बताए। 500 रुपये के प्लान में सिर्फ ट्रेडिंग की ट्रेनिंग देने तथा 45 हजार के प्लान में ट्रेनिंग के साथ-साथ 50 हजार प्रतिमाह सैलरी की नौकरी दिलाने की गारंटी भी दी गई। टेलीग्राम पर ग्रुप बनाकर 220 लोगों से पाठ्यक्रम शुल्क के तौर पर 45-45 हजार रुपये लिए गए। तीन माह के पाठ्यक्रम के बाद दो साल के लिए लोगों को काम पर रखने और उन्हें अपने अमेरिकी ग्राहकों द्वारा भी नौकरी दिलाने का झांसा दिया गया।

ट्रेनिंग के बाद क्रिप्टो में निवेश का झांसा

ट्रेनिंग के अंत में कई छात्रों को कंपनी के माध्यम से क्रिप्टो करेंसी और इथेरियम में निवेश करने को कहा गया। लोगों ने ई-ज्ञान पोर्टल से क्रिप्टो करेंसी खरीदनी शुरू की। इसके लिए स्क्वीक्स कंपनी के खाते में पैसा जमा कराया गया। इस तरह ग्रुप के 220 लोगों से 10 करोड़ से भी अधिक की ठगी की गई। ऐसे की कई ग्रुप नील उर्फ हितेष पटेल द्वारा चलाए जा रहे थे। यह रकम अब करीब 50 करोड़ से अधिक बैठती है। पीड़ित विनीत का कहना है कि उससे करीब छह लाख रुपये की ठगी हुई।

शुक्र-शनि को ट्रेनिंग, रविवार को कमाई का तरीका बताता था

पीड़ित के मुताबिक, कोर्स के लिए एप्लाई करने वाले लोगों को सरगना ऑनलाइन ट्रेनिंग देता था। टेलीग्राम ग्रुप के साथ-साथ यूट्यूब के जरिये उन्हें ट्रेडिंग सिखाई जाती। सरगना शुक्रवार व शनिवार को ट्रेनिंग देता था और रविवार को पैसे दोगुने व तिगुने करने के तरीके बताता था। वह तरह-तरह की लुभावनी बातें करके ग्रुप से जुड़े लोगों को लालच के जाल में फंसाता था।

एक ही महीने में चार गुना हो गए पैसे

नील उर्फ हितेष पटेल ने ग्रुप से जुड़े लोगों से पैसे निवेश कराने के लिए (द बुल रन) एप बनाई। उसने कहा था कि जिस व्यक्ति का जो मुनाफा होगा, वह एप के जरिये उसके खाते में डाल दिया जाएगा। लोगों को जोड़ने के लिए उसने टेलीग्राम पर ग्रुप बनाया। पीड़ितों के मुताबिक जिस व्यक्ति ने 600 डॉलर के हिसाब से रुपये ट्रांसफर किए, वह एक महीने में ही एप में चार गुना से भी अधिक यानी 2900 डॉलर शो होने लगे।

नारद-पे एप लांच कर निकाली स्कीम

ग्रुप के सदस्यों से अधिक से अधिक रकम ऐंठने का नील उर्फ हितेश पटेल ने नारद-पे एप लांच किया और 30 हजार रुपये की स्कीम निकाली। इसके तहत 30 हजार रुपये निवेश करने पर एक लाख 80 रुपये देने का दावा किया था। इस पैसे से सिर्फ मोबाइल, डीटीएच व फास्टेग रीचार्ज या फिर बिजली, पानी और गैस का बिल ही जमा हो सकता है।

निवेश बढ़ते ही ब्लॉक कर दिए अकाउंट

पीड़ितों का कहना है कि द बुल रन एप और नारद-पे एप का कंट्रोल नील उर्फ हितेश पटेल के हाथ में ही था। जैसे ही ग्रुप के सदस्यों का निवेश बढ़ा तो उसने उनका अकाउंट ब्लॉक कर दिया। नारद-पे एप के जरिये निकाली गई स्कीम भी एक महीने बाद बंद हो गई। इतना ही नहीं, आरोपी ने टेलीग्राम ग्रुप भी छोड़ दिया।

सरगना का पिता कंपनी में डायरेक्टर, हरियाणा में दर्ज हो चुका केस

टेलीग्राम के एक ग्रुप में गुप्ता कॉलोनी जींद निवासी श्रीकांत एडमिन था। ग्रुप के लोगों के पैसे न मिलने पर श्रीकांत ने विरोध करना शुरू किया था, जिसके बाद सरगना ग्रुप छोड़ दिया। कंपनी में नील का पिता गोरधन भाई पटेल डायरेक्टर है। श्रीकांत ने जींद के सिटी थाने में सीईओ नील उर्फ हितेश पटेल, उसके पिता गोरधन भाई पटेल, पार्टनर अकलेश जोशी व मैनेजर नौबत सिंह के खिलाफ केस दर्ज कराया।

डायरेक्टर पिता ने पैसे लौटाने का वादा किया, बाद में फरार हो गया

विनीत का कहना है कि कुछ पीड़ित एक अगस्त को गुजरात में नील के घर गए थे। वहां उसका डायरेक्टर पिता गोरधनभाई पटेल मिला था। सरपंच व पुलिस की मौजूदगी में पंचायत हुई, जिनमें गोरधन ने 15 अगस्त तक पैसे लौटाने की बात कही थी। तिथि बीतने के बाद संपर्क किया तो पता चला कि नील ने अपने पिता को भी फरार कर दिया है।

सीईओ समेत चार पर दर्ज की रिपोर्ट

ट्रेडिंग के कोर्स, नौकरी व क्रिप्टो करेंसी में निवेश के नाम पर ठगी के आरोप में कंपनी के सीईओ, डायरेक्टर समेत चार के खिलाफ केस दर्ज कर लिया गया है। गिरोह की कुंडली खंगाली जा रही है। बड़े पैमाने पर ठगी का धंधा चल रहा था। जल्द आरोपियों को गिरफ्तार किया जाएगा।

- निपुण अग्रवाल, एसपी सिटी

The fraudsters will pose as bank employees and send a message to the customer asking to click on a link and update your personal details

The State Bank of India (SBI) has issued a warning to its customers to beware of cyber fraudsters. As far as online transactions go, complete security can never be guaranteed. There are hackers always waiting to find a way to break into someone's account and steal their money. 

Recently, SBI said in a tweet that the customers need to stay away from links that promise gifts or cash of any kind or look suspicious. SBI requested customers to avoid and not click on such links. 

It further cautioned people not to download certain apps on their smartphones or computer systems which might promote any kind of phishing. Therefore, before downloading an app, check its authenticity, reviews and comments. It should be a priority to do thorough research before downloading the financial app. Also, do not give your important and private information to them.

Since petrol pump scams are increasing day by day, here is what you can do to avoid getting conned at petrol pumps.

Petrol and diesel prices are increasing continuously. Rising fuel prices are a concern for everyone and one can't do much about it, but you can save some money by avoiding petrol pump frauds, which occur on a daily basis. At the fuel station, the customers are not given full petrol and they are cheated.

Since petrol pump scams are increasing day by day, here is what you can do to avoid getting conned at petrol pumps.

5 tips to avoid being duped at fuel stations

1. Meter check

Always ensure that the meter is reset to 0 before the attendant starts filling fuel. Keep an eye on the meter at all times while the your vehicle is being refuelled. The attendant may try to block your view to the meter while you are inside the car. It is advisable that you get out of the car and check that the meter is reset. (Representative image)

2. Filter paper test

According to the Consumer Protection Act of 1986, petrol pumps are required to keep filter papers stocked. If a consumer asks for a filter paper test to check whether the fuel is adulterated or not, then the petrol pump can't deny them.

All you have to do is put a few drops of petrol on the filter paper and if it evaporates without leaving a stain then you can be sure that the petrol is pure. In case the petrol evaporates leaving behind some stains then it indicates that the petrol is adulterated. You can avoid getting conned this way. (Representative image)

3. Short-fuelling

At times, customers become victims of short fuelling at petrol pumps. A common method pumps use to scam motorists is filling up a lower amount 'by mistake'. For example, say you have asked for fuel worth Rs 1,500. The attendant fills up only Rs 500 worth and after being pointed out his mistake goes ahead and pretends to reset the machine and fills up to Rs 1,000. All the while, you could be under the impression that you received Rs 1,500 worth of fuel. (Representative image)

4. Refuel at a reputed petrol pump

It is always advisable to refuel at a reputed petrol pump near your house and workplace, unless you need to refuel urgently. Request for a printed bill after the payment is made. It is advisable that you make payments with credit and debit cards only. (Representative image)

5. Quantity test

If you doubt the quantity, ask for a measuring test. Petrol pumps usually have a 5-litre jar supplied by the Weights and Measures Department. Use this to fill up the can yourself and if anything less than the amount fills up, you can report the pump to the police. (Representative image)

According to the investigations by the ED based on FIRs lodged in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, Avva Venkata Rama Rao is touted as the perpetrator of the scam, executing it through Agri Gold Group of companies 

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has identified three people in connection to the Ponzi scam involving Agri Gold Group of companies, ED officials said. Avva Venkata Rama Rao, Avva Venkata Seshu Narayana Rao and Avva Hema Sundara Vara Prasad have been produced before the ED court in Hyderabad in the scam amounting to Rs 6380 crore.

As of now, the three of them have been granted 14 days of judicial custody. According to the investigations by the ED based on FIRs lodged in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, Avva Venkata Rama Rao is touted as the perpetrator of the scam, executing it through Agri Gold Group of companies. Rama Rao's name has previously been linked to the Golden Forest CIS Fraud scheme as well.

"Having learnt the tricks of the trade in that scheme, Avva Venkata Rama Rao hatched a well planned conspiracy and along with his seven brothers and other associates setting up more than 150 companies and started collecting deposits from general public with a promise of providing developed plots, farm lands or withdrawal at a high rate of return on maturity," said the ED.

According to the agency, commission agents in thousands were party to the scam in that they were luring people into various schemes for hefty commissions in return, clocking Rs 6,380 crore from 32,02,628 investor accounts in consequence. "In the end, the gullible investors neither got plots nor could recover their deposits," an official informed.

Ramesh admitted going overboard in making certain insinuations against the Dovals and the Caravan article may have been inappropriate for publication.

People who are reading this for the very first time, Congress leader and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh offered his apologies to Vivek Doval, son of NSA Ajit Doval for the statements he made during the press-conference on January 17, 2019. Jairam Ramesh accepted that he may have gone overboard in making certain insinuation against the Doval family.

"I would like to offer my apologies to you and your family for any hurt, the statements have caused. I would also urge the INC to remove the press conference from the press releases available on their website" - those were the humble words of veteran politician Jairam Ramesh and one of the most vocal opposition leaders from Congress.

The statement was a far cry from a brutal press conference last year in which Jairam Ramesh demanded that RBI make public the details of FDI inflows from Cayman Islands since demonetisation, which he claimed were to the tune of Rs 8,300 crore during 2017-18 and equalled total funds flowing into India between 2000 to 2017.

Caravan defamation case: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tenders apology to Vivek Doval

Jairam Ramesh was seen crying hoarse last year saying, "This is not FDI, it is round-tripping of demonetised money and has a direct link to black money. There should be a probe into the FDI that came into the country from the Cayman Islands after demonetisation. GNA owes an explanation to the country."

Vivek Doval got short end of the deal in a battle, a political party which had allegedly promulgated the free reign of 'black money' in the Indian economy, and a political party which had finally taken concrete steps to weed out this systemic problem. NSA Ajit Doval, of course, was a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Demonetisation back in 2016.

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NSA Ajit Doval's son Vivek records statement in defamation plea against The Caravan

All of this on the basis of a media report in a news magazine! Ramesh’s big acceptance that he used an article published by 'Caravan' magazine without doing an independent 'Fact Check' and "held a press conference just to gain some mileage during the then Lok Sabha elections", has brought the focus back on the vitriolic campaign being run by the Congress and Left parties against national news channels for promoting the Narendra Modi government’s pro-people agenda.

The Congress leader tendering an apology to NSA Ajit Doval's son Vivek Doval who had filed a criminal defamation case against Ramesh and the Caravan magazine editor, also vindicates the stand taken by national news channels on the issues of paramount national importance, raising hope that none will cry foul now and none will run hashtags like 'Godi Media' and 'Fake News' which checking the basic facts first.

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Article is aimed at running malicious campaign: Vivek Doval

The Congress leader on Saturday accepted that he used an article published by Caravan magazine without doing an independent 'Fact Check' and did a press conference just to gain some mileage during the then Lok Sabha elections.  

Ramesh stated, "I had conducted a press conference on 17 January 2019 making certain statements about you, your family and your business venture GNY Asia Fund. I understand these statements have hurt you deeply."

He added, "I want to clarify that these statements or accusations were made drawing conclusions from an Article that was published the previous day in the Caravan magazine. As the case progressed, I realized that perhaps some independent verification may have been in order."

He said that the General Elections were close, and the questions raised in the article seemed appropriate for being highlighted in public. "In retrospect, I may have gone overboard in making certain insinuations against you and your family," the Congress leader said. The apology was accepted by Vivek Doval, and the Delhi court hearing the matter subsequently closed the case against Jairam Ramesh.  

What is the Caravan defamation case? 

NSA Doval’s son Vivek had in 2019 filed a criminal defamation case against Jairam Ramesh and Caravan magazine Editor-in-Chief Paresh Nath and reporter Kaushal Shroff for damaging his reputation. The suit was filed by Vivek after the Congress leader Jairam Ramesh held a press conference in January 2019 over a report published by news magazine Caravan. Caravan was also named in the suit. 

What were the allegations?

A report published by the news magazine Caravan, claimed that Vivek Doval was running a hedge fund in Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is known as a tax haven. According to The Caravan magazine report, the hedge fund was registered just 13 days after the demonetisation announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016. 

The same was also linked with the business of Ajit Doval’s elder son Shaurya Doval, who is a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and heads the think tank, India Foundation, which is considered close to the Narendra Modi government. 

The Caravan magazine report titled 'The D-Companies', which is usually associated with the network of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, alleged that just 13 days after Prime Minister Modi announced demonetisation on November 8, 2016, Doval's son formed a company named GNY Asia, with the motive of sending and receiving money from abroad. 

However, earlier speaking to Zee News, Vivek Doval said that GNY Asia was started in October 2013, under the banner of Vivam Holding Co Ltd, which started collecting funds in November 2015 itself. The company was also registered in India in August 2016. Calling the allegations baseless, Doval questioned if they knew in 2013 itself about the demonetisation announcement.

The second allegation against the NSA's son was that GNY Asia was connected to his elder brother Shaurya Doval and also with the royal family of Saudi Arabia. Responding to it, Vivek said GNY Asia has no business connection with Shaurya Doval.

He said that he had merely asked for some office space from Shaurya's company ZEUS. He added that help was also sought from two ZEUS employees - Akul Jajharia and Priyanka Dua – who have also been paid a salary of Rs 1,60,000 per month. Talking about the royal family of Saudi Arabia, he said that there were six investors in the company, of which none hailed from the Gulf country. 

On the third allegation that he indulged in business in Cayman Island despite his father Ajit Doval himself mentioning in a report on black money in 2011, that the island was a tax haven, Vivek said that though the place "was named a tax haven, there was no black money involved in his business".  

Investment of as much as Rs 8,300 crore was made in foreign direct investment (FDI) through the Cayman Islands in 2017 and it was alleged that the payment was routed through GNY Asia. Responding to this allegation, Vivek said, "GNY Asia fund started with Rs 77 crore, of which Rs 15 crore was invested in India. But later, our FPI licence was cancelled because SEBI norms required at least 25 investors for the same. Therefore, our India operations ended in August 2017, and later we suffered major losses because of the trade war between China and US. The allegations made by Congress are false." 

The malicious campaign by Congress against the Dovals 

Soon after the Caravan magazine published the report, the Congress party also targeted NSA Doval and his family, accusing Vivek Doval of involvement in Cayman Islands hedge funds. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh made tall claims alleging money laundering through Doval’s son’s company. 

Legal suit by Vivek Doval

Rejecting all allegations as 'baseless', Vivek Doval filed a criminal defamation suit against Jairam Ramesh and the Caravan magazine and its editor. Expressing anguish at the reference of 'D-company' in the article, Vivek told the court that his father had always served the country and even risked his life, fighting enemies of the nation. He said that it was an "attempt to malign his image and that of his brother in front of their father." "We were born in this country and we will die for this country," he added. 

In his complaint, Vivek Doval had said the Caravan magazine and Jairam Ramesh had attempted to "deliberately malign and defame him to settle scores with his father".  The court had taken cognisance of Vivek Doval’s criminal defamation complaint in January 2019 and Ramesh was granted bail in May 2019.

Fight Against 'Fake News'

It was last night only when Zee News Editor-in-Chief, Sudhir Chaudhary explained the real scam behind the allegations of 'Fake news'. It’s a mere coincidence that today a Congress stalwart and ex-Union Minister sought an apology for his "false claims and derogatory remarks".

This is not a case of minute negligence and a mere misconception of facts. This is concrete evidence of how the Congress party and their leaders, for the last 70 years, are administrating 'Fake News' as a manipulative tool to sustain their already shattered vote bank.  

Now the question arises - What if the 'Emergency' was fake news, What if 'Operation Bluestar' happened on an independent thought, What if '2G' really was a bigger scam?  Clearly, this is not just an apology, this is an eye-opener for all the 'Democracy - Bhakts' out there, they now will have to 'Fact Check' the comments of their leaders on sensitive issues and matters of paramount national interest.

Finally, Jairam Ramesh tenders apology 

The apology was accepted by Vivek Doval, and the Delhi court hearing the matter subsequently closed the case against Ramesh. Even though Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Sachin Gupta has shut the case against Ramesh, the defamation proceedings against the magazine and journalist Kaushal Shroff will continue.