Police Uncover Sophisticated Fastag-Amazon Gift Card Cyber Fraud Network
In a significant breakthrough against digital financial crimes, Delhi Police announced on Saturday the dismantling of an inter-state cyber fraud syndicate that employed a cunning combination of Fastag payments and Amazon gift cards to illegally siphon money from unsuspecting victims. The operation led to the arrest of two individuals from Rajasthan and the seizure of a substantial cache of electronic equipment used in the fraudulent activities.
How the Elaborate Scam Operated
The sophisticated fraud came to light following a complaint lodged at the Cyber West police station in November of last year. The complainant reported receiving what appeared to be an e-challan message via WhatsApp, which contained a malicious APK file. Once this file was opened, the victim's smartphone was compromised, leading to the unauthorized deduction of over Rs 1 lakh from their credit card.
During the subsequent investigation, police detectives uncovered a multi-layered money laundering scheme. The fraudulently obtained funds were first channeled through Fastag payment systems, then cleverly converted into Amazon gift cards to obscure their illicit origins. This conversion process effectively laundered the money, making it difficult to trace.
The Technical Investigation and Raid
Through meticulous technical analysis, verification of vehicle ownership records, and examination of digital evidence, investigators traced the operation's base to Gharsana in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan. A specialized police team conducted coordinated raids in the area, uncovering a fully equipped cyber fraud setup operating under the guise of 'Bansari Company'.
The raid resulted in the arrest of two key suspects: Ghan Shyam, also known as GB Boss (29), and Naresh Kumar, alias Kalu (27), both residents of Gharsana. The arrests were made on January 14 following extensive surveillance and investigation.
Modus Operandi Revealed
During interrogation, accused Ghan Shyam provided crucial insights into the syndicate's operations. He disclosed that he had initially established legitimate firms named 'Bansari Brothers and Ventures,' which were linked with e-Mitra services for processing routine bill payments like electricity bills, earning modest commissions in the process.
Dissatisfied with the low profitability of these legitimate ventures, the accused devised a scheme to misuse their established banking infrastructure for cyber fraud. They permitted their bank accounts to receive money obtained through fraudulent means, which was then routed through Fastags issued on various vehicles. The Fastag balances were subsequently used to purchase Amazon Gift Cards, effectively laundering the illicit funds through legitimate-looking transactions.
Substantial Evidence Recovered
Police authorities have recovered a significant amount of evidence from the accused, including:
- 70 mobile phones
- 10 laptops
- 37 ATM cards
- 10 bank passbooks
- 467 SIM cards
- 5 Fastag tags
- 1 POS machine
Investigators noted that several National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) complaints from various states were linked to the bank accounts and mobile numbers used by the duo, indicating a widespread, organized fraud operation affecting victims across multiple regions.
Ongoing Investigation and Implications
Further investigation is currently underway to identify additional associates involved in the syndicate and to locate other potential victims who may have been targeted by this sophisticated scam. The case highlights the evolving nature of cybercrime in India, where criminals are increasingly exploiting legitimate financial systems and digital platforms to commit fraud.
This bust serves as a crucial reminder for citizens to exercise extreme caution when receiving unsolicited messages containing files or links, particularly those claiming to be official communications regarding payments or challans. The Delhi Police's successful operation demonstrates law enforcement's growing capability to track and dismantle complex digital fraud networks operating across state boundaries.
