In a significant breakthrough, the Amravati city police have apprehended a key cyber criminal involved in an inter-state racket that duped a local mill owner of a staggering ₹16.53 lakh. The arrest was made from the infamous Jamtara region in Jharkhand, a hotbed for online financial frauds.
The Deceptive WhatsApp Message That Started It All
The entire episode began on November 9, when the victim, an Amravati-based mill owner, received a WhatsApp message. The message falsely warned him that his water connection was slated for disconnection. Upon clicking the link embedded in the message, which was a malicious APK file, his mobile phone was compromised. The hackers gained unauthorized access and proceeded to siphon off ₹16,53,000 from his State Bank of India account.
Following the Digital Money Trail
The police investigation, launched after the complaint was filed, uncovered a complex web of transactions. The stolen amount was not transferred directly but was routed through multiple bank accounts and credit cards. This pattern clearly indicated the involvement of a syndicate with more than one accused. Out of the nine fraudulent transactions from the victim's account, two significant ones—worth ₹1.45 lakh and ₹1.20 lakh—were executed using credit cards.
Further probe revealed that the credit card details used in the fraud were supplied to the main accused via brokers. The accused, identified as Mrunal alias Vikram Pandey, then utilized these details to carry out the transactions on November 12. Technical analysis and digital forensics eventually pinpointed his location to Harirakha village in the Jamtara district.
The Arrest and Seizure in Jamtara
Acting on this intelligence, a dedicated police team led by API Aniket Kasar was formed. The team, which included head constable Vishal and constables Roshan Aniket and Ashwin, traveled to Jharkhand. They successfully arrested Mrunal Pandey from Dumbariya Chowk in Jamtara.
A subsequent search of his residence yielded crucial evidence, strengthening the case against him. The seized items include:
- 10 credit and debit cards
- Two bank passbooks
- Two cheque books
- Photocopies of several Aadhaar cards
- Two mobile phones
- ₹14,500 in cash
The police have confirmed that the search for the other individuals involved in this racket is actively ongoing. This arrest highlights the persistent threat of cyber crime emanating from certain regions and the continuous efforts by law enforcement to track down perpetrators across state borders.
