Bokaro: Giridih district police on Wednesday arrested six cyber criminals involved in online fraud using fake apps and phishing links. Several mobile phones, SIM cards and bikes were seized during the raid in Kalaria jungle under Bengabad police station limits.
The action was carried out following specific intelligence inputs and information received through the Pratibimb portal. Giridih SP Bimal Kumar said that they received inputs that a group of cyber fraudsters was operating from the Kalariya forest area and targeting people through fake mobile applications.
Acting on the directive of the SP, a special raiding team led by the Cyber DSP was formed. The team conducted raids in multiple locations under the Bengabad police station area and arrested six accused persons. “Police recovered 11 mobile phones, 13 SIM cards and five motorcycles from the possession of the accused during the operation,” said the SP.
He further said that the gang used to circulate fraudulent links such in apk files as “RTO e-Challan Check.apk” and “MGL Gas.apk” to unsuspecting users. Once the applications were downloaded, the accused allegedly gained remote access to victims’ mobile phones and siphoned money from their bank accounts. Those arrested were identified as Mahendra Kumar Mandal, Krishna Kumar Mandal, Ishwar Mandal, Pankaj Kumar, Rajesh Kumar Mandal and Aditya Kumar Mandal. All are from different villages under the Bengabad police station in Giridih district.
The police operation highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud through fake mobile applications and phishing links. The Pratibimb portal, a platform for sharing intelligence, played a key role in identifying the gang's activities. Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution while downloading apps and avoid clicking on suspicious links. Further investigations are underway to trace other possible members of the network and recover additional illicit assets.
