Police Arrest Four in Major Cyber Fraud Operation, Rs 3.37 Crore Stolen

Police in Nainital have arrested four individuals linked to a significant interstate cyber fraud network. The gang is accused of hacking into the mobile phones of unsuspecting victims and unlawfully transferring funds from their bank accounts, accumulating losses estimated at Rs 3.37 crore.

The arrests occurred on November 16, 2023, during a routine checking operation led by Superintendent of Police Jagdish Chandra and Deputy Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar. Police intercepted a suspicious vehicle at Bhediyapakhad mod in Do Gaon, where a detailed search revealed a cache of incriminating evidence. Among the items seized were 11 mobile phones, nine SIM cards, various identification documents, cheque books, and multiple debit and credit cards.

According to police reports, the gang employed a tactic of sending links via social media that contained malicious APK files. When victims downloaded these files, the offenders gained unauthorized access to their mobile devices. Following the hacks, the perpetrators transferred money to various “mule accounts,” which concealed their identities. Notably, a QR code was linked to a bank account associated with a separate case in Delhi.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Shubham Gupta from Alwar, Rajasthan; Piyush Goyal from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh; Rishabh Kumar from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh; and Mohit Rathi from Gurugram, Haryana. In addition to the mobile phones, authorities confiscated a vehicle believed to have been used in the commission of these crimes.

The ongoing investigation aims to track additional victims and ascertain the full extent of the gang’s operations. This case highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud, particularly through mobile technology, and underscores the need for public awareness regarding digital security practices.