Key Points:
- Former IPS officer Amar Singh Chahal shot himself with his gunman’s rifle in Patiala
- Lost Rs 8.10 crore to fraudsters posing as DBS Bank wealth managers
- Critical condition after 3-hour surgery, next 12-24 hours crucial
- 12-page suicide note details ‘F-777 DBS Wealth Equity Research Group’ scam
- Fraud operated through WhatsApp/Telegram, showing fake profit dashboards
- Chahal demands CBI investigation to recover funds and repay creditors
- Previously accused in 2015 Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing incidents
- Punjab Police investigating fraud network and circumstances of suicide attempt
In a shocking incident that highlights the growing menace of cyber fraud even among law enforcement veterans, retired Inspector General of Punjab Police Amar Singh Chahal attempted suicide by shooting himself after being defrauded of Rs 8.10 crore in an elaborate online investment scam. The 62-year-old former IPS officer used his gunman’s service rifle to shoot himself in the chest at his Patiala residence on Monday morning, and is currently battling for his life in intensive care.
Doctors at Government Rajindra Hospital performed a complex three-hour surgery to remove the bullet that had lodged in his chest and lungs. Medical Superintendent Dr. Rajesh Kumar stated that while the surgery was successful, Chahal remains in critical condition and the next 12 to 24 hours will be crucial for his survival. He is under constant monitoring in the ICU with ventilator support.
The 12-Page Suicide Note That Exposed a Criminal Network
Police recovered a detailed 12-page suicide note from the scene, in which Chahal meticulously documented his ordeal and exposed the workings of a sophisticated cyber fraud network. The note, addressed to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, reveals how the retired officer was drawn into what cybercrime experts term a “pig butchering” scam, where victims are fattened up with fake profits before being slaughtered for maximum financial extraction.
According to the note, the fraudsters operated through WhatsApp and Telegram groups under the name ‘F-777 DBS Wealth Equity Research Group’. They claimed affiliation with Singapore-based DBS Bank officials and promised extraordinary returns through stock trading, IPO allotments, and quantitative funds. The scammers used high-pressure tactics, daily market analysis, and fake credentials to build credibility, even sharing forged DBS Bank letterheads and employee IDs.
How the Rs 8.10 Crore Fraud Unfolded
Chahal’s note explains that he was initially lured with small investments that showed impressive returns on a professionally designed dashboard. The fraudsters displayed inflated profits of 30-40% within weeks, convincing him to invest larger sums. Over six months, from June to December 2025, Chahal transferred money in multiple tranches, with the largest being Rs 2.5 crore in November.
When he attempted to withdraw his supposed profits of Rs 12 crore, the scammers demanded various fees, taxes, and processing charges. They extorted money in the name of SEBI registration fees, foreign exchange conversion charges, and anti-money laundering clearances. Each time Chahal paid, new obstacles emerged, until he had sunk his entire retirement corpus and borrowed an additional Rs 3 crore from friends and relatives.
A Cry for Help and Demand for Justice
In his emotional letter, Chahal expressed deep mental anguish and embarrassment, writing, “Even as an officer of the Punjab Police who served for 35 years, I could not take the necessary precautions and I feel cheated and defeated.” He stated that this financial loss has ruined his family and left him unable to face his creditors.
Chahal made two critical demands in his note. First, he requested that either a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) be appointed to investigate this scam, so that the culprits can be apprehended and the defrauded amount recovered. Second, he pleaded that any recovered money be used to repay his creditors, particularly those who had trusted him with their life savings.
Previous Controversies and Current Investigation Status
It is noteworthy that Amar Singh Chahal’s name was included as an accused in the 2015 Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing incidents, which occurred during protests against the desecration of religious texts. The incidents resulted in two deaths and multiple injuries. The Supreme Court had ordered a fresh investigation, and a Punjab Police SIT is currently probing the matter. Chahal was the Ferozepur Range Deputy Inspector General at the time.
Currently, the Patiala Police have registered an FIR under Section 309 of IPC (attempt to commit suicide) and have launched a thorough investigation into both the suicide attempt and the cyber fraud. The cyber cell is tracing the money trail, which reportedly passed through multiple bank accounts in India before being transferred to cryptocurrency wallets and eventually to accounts in Dubai and Singapore.
The Broader Implications for Cyber Security
This incident has sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community and highlighted how sophisticated cyber frauds have become. Cybercrime experts point out that the F-777 DBS Wealth Equity Research Group is part of a larger network that has defrauded over 5,000 Indians of more than Rs 500 crore in the past year alone. The scammers typically target educated professionals, using financial jargon and fake regulatory approvals to appear legitimate.
The Punjab Police have issued a public advisory warning citizens about such investment scams and have requested the Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate with Interpol and law enforcement agencies in Singapore and UAE to track down the masterminds. Meanwhile, the police have provided security to Chahal’s family, who remain in shock and have not issued any public statement.
