In a significant crackdown, the Cyber Crime Police of Coimbatore have successfully apprehended ten individuals from Gujarat for allegedly defrauding a senior citizen of more than 16 lakh rupees through an elaborate scam involving a fake traffic violation notice.
The Elaborate Scam and Swift Complaint
The victim, identified as 71-year-old S Samuel from Kavundampalayam, was targeted with a deceptive message. The communication, which closely mimicked official traffic police alerts, contained a note about a pending traffic violation and a malicious APK file. Unaware of the threat, Samuel downloaded the file, leading to immediate unauthorized access to his bank account.
Soon after the installation, he received a shocking alert stating that a massive sum of 16.47 lakh rupees had been withdrawn from his fixed deposit account. Acting promptly, Samuel filed a formal complaint with the Coimbatore City Cyber Crime Police on August 12, 2025, setting the stage for an intensive investigation.
Police Investigation Leads to Surat Arrests
Following a detailed probe into the digital trail and financial transactions, a special police team was formed. This team, led by Cyber Crime Inspector Alaguraj, traveled to Surat in Gujarat to track down the suspects. Their operation culminated in the arrest of all ten accused individuals linked to the sophisticated racket.
The police have recovered substantial evidence from the arrested individuals. The seized items include:
- 3.5 lakh rupees in cash
- 311 debit and credit cards
- 10 mobile phones
- One swiping machine
- A cheque book
Accused Identified and Remanded to Custody
The ten arrested individuals have been identified as D Bhathliya Rajnibai (37), H Vishwabai (36), Radadiya Chavan (34), D Kohil Vijay (37), S Rathore Jithendrasingh (26), T Mahendrasingh (35), M Sovadiya Mirel (22), R Kapil Rajubai (36), M Sovadiya Meet (25), and J Pal Chandan (34).
After their arrest in Surat, the accused were initially produced before a local court there. They were subsequently brought to Coimbatore for further legal proceedings. On Sunday evening, they were presented before a judicial magistrate in the city, who ordered them to be remanded in custody.
This case highlights the evolving tactics of cybercriminals who exploit public trust in official channels like the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The Coimbatore police's cross-state operation underscores the increasing coordination needed to tackle such inter-state digital financial crimes. Authorities continue to warn citizens against downloading unknown files or clicking on links from unverified sources, even if they appear to be from government agencies.
