Four Arrested for Duping Delhi-Based Chartered Accountant of Rs 75,694 Through Fake Banking Application
In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, Delhi Police have arrested four individuals for allegedly cheating a chartered accountant from East Delhi of Rs 75,694. The fraud was executed by persuading the victim to download a malicious mobile application disguised as a legitimate bank app, which then compromised her phone and facilitated unauthorized credit card transactions.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
The case, registered on February 4 under sections 318(4) for cheating and 61(2) for criminal conspiracy of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), originated from a complaint filed by a resident of Krishna Nagar. According to police reports, the victim was deceived by an unidentified caller who impersonated a representative of a private bank. The caller offered to increase her credit card limit, gaining her trust before sending an APK file via WhatsApp.
Once installed, the app granted unauthorized access to her phone, enabling fraudulent transactions from her credit card. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shahdara, Prashant Gautam, stated that during the investigation, it was revealed the fraudster used the compromised credit card to purchase electronic and other items through the quick commerce portal Zepto. These items were delivered to Charmwood Village in Faridabad.
Investigation and Arrests
Technical analysis of the money trail was conducted, and beneficiary details were obtained from Zepto. This led police to identify and establish links to the suspects, who were residents of Lakkarpur village in Faridabad's Surajkund area. The fraud was traced to a group that allegedly sourced SIM cards from a specific point-of-sale outlet to mask their identities, complicating the investigation.
One of the accused, Ashish Kumar Ojha (23), a former employee of a credit card sales firm, had access to customer data, which he allegedly shared with co-accused Vivek Kumar (37). Vivek Kumar developed a fake banking application that closely resembled a real app, making it convincing to victims. The other two arrested individuals were identified as Abhishek Kumar Jha (24) and Ikrar (23).
Police recovered four mobile phones during the operation, including the primary device used in the offence. This highlights the sophisticated nature of the scam, which combined social engineering with technical manipulation to exploit victims.
Broader Implications and Police Response
This incident underscores the growing threat of cyber fraud in urban areas like Delhi, where scammers use fake apps and impersonation tactics to steal sensitive financial information. Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls or messages, especially those involving financial transactions or app downloads.
The arrests serve as a warning to cybercriminals and demonstrate police efforts to combat digital fraud through coordinated investigations and technical forensics. As cyber threats evolve, such cases emphasize the need for enhanced cybersecurity awareness and robust legal frameworks to protect consumers.
