Latest news with #AnuragGarg
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India.com
07-07-2025
- India.com
IITian Mastermind Plots Witness Murder In Rs 500 Crore Ponzi Scam
New Delhi: A shocking twist has emerged in the much-talked-about Rs 500 crore Ponzi scheme, also known as the "Like Scam", originating from Ghaziabad. The alleged mastermind, Anurag Garg, an engineer educated from IIT Roorkee, has not only been implicated in defrauding the public but also in a sinister murder conspiracy targeting a key witness in the case. Anurag Garg, who launched the fraudulent online platform 'Web Work' in 2017, duped thousands by promising money in exchange for online "likes." The scam attracted massive public attention when it was promoted using Bollywood stars like Shahrukh Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, which helped gain public trust and lure more victims. As per the police investigation, Anurag Garg, who was earlier out on bail, meticulously planned to eliminate the main witness in the case, Amit Kishore Jain, who was scheduled to testify in court in July 2025. In an extraordinary move to avoid suspicion, Garg got himself re-arrested and went back to jail after assigning the murder contract, thereby trying to create an alibi for himself. On June 17, two young shooters attacked Amit Kishore Jain in a park in Ghaziabad. Fortunately, although he was shot, Jain survived the attack. The Ghaziabad Police, acting swiftly, engaged in an encounter and arrested the two shooters, identified as Amit Yadav and Ashwini. Both were reportedly preparing for Agniveer recruitment and had been roped into the murder conspiracy. Along with them, another accused was also arrested. Priyanshu Gautam, a school owner from Bulandshahr who had only studied till Class 12. Shockingly, despite his limited education, Gautam owns a school and plays an active role in the murder conspiracy. According to DCP Trans Hindon Nimish Patil, the entire murder conspiracy was hatched inside the jail. After receiving bail, Anurag Garg came out, hired the shooters, and soon after returned to jail, a calculated move to avoid raising suspicion. 'This is one of the most meticulously planned contract killing attempts we've come across,' said DCP Patil. 'Due to the alertness and swift action of our police team, we were able to thwart the attack and uncover the entire conspiracy.' Given the large scale of financial fraud involved, the investigation into the Rs 500 crore Web Work scam is now being conducted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The scam dates back to 2017, when Anurag Garg and his associates created a fake online platform and launched aggressive promotions using celebrities. The accused allegedly promised earnings through online tasks like clicking or liking content, thereby ensnaring thousands of unsuspecting investors across the country. According to police sources, more arrests and disclosures are expected in the coming days as the investigation deepens.
India Gazette
26-06-2025
- India Gazette
Jharkhand Govt holds marathon to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], June 26 (ANI): In a strong message against substance abuse, the Jharkhand Government on Wednesday organised a marathon from Morhabadi Ground to Albert Ekka Chowk to observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Speaking at the event, Jharkhand Sports Minister Sudivya Kumar said, 'I hope all districts will take further steps to fight the drug menace.' Earlier on June 22, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Director General Anurag Garg highlighted the growing challenge of drug abuse and the bureau's renewed approach toward combating it. '26 June is celebrated as International Anti-Drug day and the way it is emerging in our society, NCB has decided that we won't celebrate it as a day, we will celebrate it as a Pakhwada,' he said. He further added that the bureau is taking the campaign to the grassroots by engaging with communities across the country. 'On this occasion, we are celebrating different programmes in various locations - schools, colleges, and public places and providing information about the side effects of drugs,' Garg said. In Visakhapatnam, the Narcotics Control Bureau along with EAGLE Visakhapatnam, in collaboration with Decathlon, successfully organised a Cyclothon on June 22 as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Pakhwada' campaign. The event was held in alignment with the United Nations' resolution to observe June 26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The Cyclothon was flagged off by Pankaj Kumar Dwivedi, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and the event was coordinated by Rajan Kumar, Superintendent, NCB Visakhapatnam, S Ramesh, Inspector EAGLE and Kalyani, Inspector, initiative witnessed enthusiastic participation from various stakeholders including EAGLE Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Visakhapatnam, and State Bank of India (SBI), Siripuram Branch. Over 100 cyclists from diverse backgrounds took part in the event, raising awareness and spreading the powerful message, 'Say Yes to Life, No to Drugs.' The participants pedalled through designated city routes, symbolising unity and a collective stand against the menace of drug abuse. The event reinforced NCB' s and ANTF' S commitment to community engagement and drug prevention through public awareness initiatives and collaborative efforts. (ANI)
Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
International Day Against Drug Abuse 2025: Know the date, theme, history, and significance
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025: According to the most recent UNODC World Drug Report, the number of drug users will reach 292 million by 2022, a 20% increase over the previous decade. On December 7, 1987, the General Assembly declared June 26 as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to encourage action and collaboration towards the goal of a drug-free world. It is also known as World Drug Day, with the day aiming to increase action and collaboration in the effort to end illicit drug use throughout the globe. The theme for 2025, 'Break the Cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime', emphasises the significance of focused long-term action to break the cycle of organised crime and drug trafficking. 'Prevention and preparedness are how we break the cycle of organized crime.'@GhadaFathiWaly calls for the critical need to #InvestInPrevention, to protect people from drug use and empower communities to live in safety and dignity.#WorldDrugDay — UN Office on Drugs & Crime (@UNODC) June 26, 2025 It encourages tackling it through fundamental causes, the day encourages investment in prevention, including justice, education, health care, and alternative livelihoods – all are essential components of long-term resilience. Every year, people, cities, and various organisations throughout the world support this global observance, which attempts to raise awareness of the huge threat that illegal drugs pose to society. The Government of India, through its zero-tolerance policy, active enforcement measures, and people-centric programs such as Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, is making significant progress towards a safer, healthier, and drug-free future for Indians. #WATCH | Delhi: As Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) organises the Program Of Cyclothon on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit, Director General of NCB, Anurag Garg says, '26 June is celebrated as International Anti-Drug day and the way it is emerging in… — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2025
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
NCB asks police chiefs to alert beat officers about drug labs
Concerned over India emerging as a major hub for clandestine laboratories manufacturing synthetic drugs such as amphetamine, methamphetamine and ecstasy pills, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has asked police chiefs of all states and Union territories to alert their beat officers about the red flags to identify such laboratories in their respective areas. The nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence agency has also asked the states and UTs to educate the public about such red flags of suspicious laboratories in their localities. 'The emergence of synthetic drugs such as mephedrone, methamphetamine, MDMA, etc pose a growing threat to public health and national security. Unlike traditional narcotic crops, synthetic drugs which are more addictive and harmful to health can be produced entirely from chemical precursors, often in concealed laboratories that mimic legitimate industrial or residential setups,' NCB director general Anurag Garg said in a communique to the director generals of police (DGPs) of states and UTs last week. Law enforcement experience in India, Garg said, reveals that these illegal manufacturing units mostly operate discreetly in leased premises in industrial areas or isolated locations and use precursor chemicals, many of which are used in legitimate industry. 'Often, there is a well organised syndicate which runs such establishments and members are past narco-offenders who bring in chemists also in the syndicate, as manufacturing drugs is a highly skilled job,' he added. 'It is vital that beat constables, field officers and SHO level officials are made aware of the emerging threat of synthetic drugs and trained to observe early warning signs and respond appropriately. From the experience gained from investigation of clandestine lab cases, it can be concluded that personnel must remain alert to the red flags about possible existence of clandestine laboratories during patrols or intelligence gathering,' Garg added. NCB listed some of the red flags, which include buildings with covered or blacked-out windows and CCTV around the perimeter; strong odours of chemical like ammonia, solvents, vinegar, cat urine; unusual ventilation equipment or external ducting; unusual high electricity usage in a premises; presence of large quantities of household of industrial chemicals; discarded lab equipment, gloves, plastic containers or tubing found in garbage; complaints from locals about burning eyes, headaches or strange smells; frequent deliveries of unlabelled boxes of containers, often in small trucks; and residents of such premises showing signs of paranoia, evasiveness or denying access. Garg stressed that no premature raids should be carried out but beat officers must discreetly inform supervisory officers and alert the local NCB unit. 'Since it is an emerging threat about which police officers need to be educated, it is requested that briefing sessions may be conducted during monthly crime meetings of district SP and during roll calls of SHO of police stations. The public can be educated to report suspicious activity to the police station,' the letter added. In January this year, Union home minister Amit Shah had urged states to destroy illegal clandestine labs, pointing out that 'at least 50 illegal labs have been caught across the country'. Last October, NCB busted a clandestine methamphetamine manufacturing laboratory in Noida allegedly linked to members of the Mexican drug cartel — Cartel De Jalisco Nueva Generacion. Officials said that NCB alone has busted nine such labs till date while police departments in various states have also unearthed similar facilities in the last couple of years. According to a latest United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report, India has become an important transit and destination point for methamphetamine, particularly from Myanmar. In 2024, law enforcement agencies in the country seized 8.2 tonnes of ATS, most of which were believed to be methamphetamine, marking a 500% increase compared to 2020.
