Patna Cyber Police Crack Down on Major Online Fraud Ring
In a significant breakthrough, the Patna cyber police have apprehended three individuals involved in a large-scale online fraud operation. The accused are alleged to have swindled victims of more than Rs 1 crore through deceptive schemes across nine Indian states.
Raid and Arrest Details
Acting on a tip-off regarding suspicious cyber activities in the Beur police station area, a specialized police team conducted a targeted raid. The operation led to the arrest of three cyber criminals, with authorities seizing 11 mobile phones and one laptop from their possession.
Modus Operandi of the Scams
Patna cyber DSP Nitish Chandra Dhariya disclosed that the arrested individuals operated two primary scam modules using popular social media platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp.
First Scheme: Fake Loan Offers
In this scheme, the fraudsters impersonated representatives of Dhani Finance, enticing victims with promises of easy loans. They distributed counterfeit APK files disguised as the official 'Dhani' or 'Play Dhani' applications. Interested victims were coerced into paying processing fees, such as Rs 5,000 for a Rs 10 lakh loan or Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 for a Rs 1 lakh loan. After receiving the payment via UPI, the scammers sent fabricated loan sanction documents through WhatsApp and promptly blocked all communication with the victims.
Second Scheme: Deceptive Job Advertisements
Using the name 'Playboy', the criminals posted misleading advertisements targeting job seekers. They collected personal details under the guise of offering employment opportunities, extracted money from the victims, and then severed all contact.
Technical Exploitation and Financial Drain
DSP Dhariya elaborated that the scammers sent malicious APK files to unsuspecting individuals. Once installed, these files granted remote access to the victims' phones. Victims were often tricked into making a nominal UPI payment of Rs 10 to 'activate' the service, during which their banking credentials were captured. The attackers then diverted calls and messages, took control of UPI accounts, and drained the linked bank balances. The illicit funds were funneled through mule accounts provided by other network members.
Arrested Individuals and Their Background
The arrested trio, identified as Vicky Kumar (28), Shubham Raj (22), and Gulshan Kumar (23), all hail from Nawada district. They had been residing together in a rented flat in Patna for the past four to six months, having previously operated from various locations connected to the same criminal network. One of them has completed Intermediate (Class 12), while the other two are graduates.
Wide-Ranging Impact and Ongoing Investigation
Technical analysis of the seized devices revealed that complaints against these individuals have been registered from multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi, and various districts of Bihar such as Darbhanga. Dozens of cases have already been linked to them, with the total defrauded amount still under calculation.
DSP Dhariya emphasized that further investigation is underway to uncover the complete network and previous activities of the accused. Continuous raids are being conducted in response to the rising incidence of cybercrime, underscoring the police's commitment to combating such fraudulent operations.
