Interstate Fraudster Apprehended in Pilibhit for Multi-State Banking Scam
Police in Pilibhit have arrested a 28-year-old interstate fraudster for allegedly cheating 59 people across Rajasthan, Delhi, and five districts in Uttar Pradesh. The accused targeted victims by accessing their bank deposits, converting them into borrowers through online loan approvals in their names, and transferring the funds to his own account.
Arrest Follows Complaint from Duped Victim
The incident came to light after Dinesh Kumar from Punnapur Tanda village filed a complaint on Sunday. Kumar alleged that the fraudster, identified as Mohd Afaq, recently duped him of Rs 27,000. Acting on this information, police arrested Afaq from the Ghungchai area of Pilibhit, where he was reportedly planning to target another victim.
Modus Operandi Targets Auto Drivers
Joint SP Natasha Goel explained Afaq's method of operation. He specifically targeted auto drivers, using his conversational skills to sit beside them and take their mobile phones on some pretext. While the driver focused on driving, Afaq would remove the SIM card from the phone. These stolen SIM cards were then used to transfer bank or UPI deposits from the victims' accounts.
Afaq also obtained online loan approvals using the stolen SIM cards, subsequently transferring the loan amounts to his own accounts through bank transfers.
Recovery of Evidence and Legal Action
Police recovered significant evidence from Afaq's possession, including three mobile phones, a tablet, four ATM cards, a green remit card, three Aadhaar cards, a bank passbook, and two cheque books. Ghungchai SHO Jai Shankar confirmed that a case has been registered under sections 318(4) for cheating and forgery, 338 for forgery of valuable security, and 336(3) for committing forgery with intent to cheat under the BNS.
Following the registration of the case, authorities sent Afaq to jail. The investigation continues as police work to uncover the full extent of his fraudulent activities and assist the affected victims.
