Kanpur Transporter Defrauded of Rs 1.2 Crore in Sophisticated SIM Swap Scam
In a distressing case of cyber fraud, a transporter from Kanpur fell victim to a meticulously planned SIM swap scam, resulting in the unauthorized withdrawal of a staggering Rs 1.2 crore from his bank accounts. The incident, which highlights the growing sophistication of digital crimes, led to a coordinated police investigation spanning multiple regions, culminating in the arrest of the prime accused in Meerut.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
The victim, identified as Mokam Singh, filed an official complaint on August 25, 2025, at the Cyber Crime Police Station under the Kanpur Nagar Commissionerate. According to his statement, cyber criminals initiated the attack by sending forged APK files to his mobile phone via WhatsApp. These malicious files were cleverly disguised under the names of various government schemes, including PM Kisan Yojna, RTO Challan, Canara Bank Aadhaar Update, and Indra Awas Village.
Singh mistakenly clicked on one of these files, believing it to be a legitimate RTO Challan. This single action granted the criminals remote access to his mobile device, setting the stage for the subsequent financial heist.
Execution of the SIM Swap and Financial Theft
With access secured, the perpetrators executed a SIM swap of Singh's mobile number, effectively taking control of his phone line. They then activated online banking services on his bank accounts without authorization. On the same day, August 25, they proceeded to withdraw a total of Rs 1,27,85,779.
Upon discovering the fraud, Singh immediately reported the incident through the national cyber helpline 1930 and submitted a written complaint at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Kanpur Nagar. A formal case was registered, prompting an intensive investigation based on technical evidence and digital footprints.
Police Investigation and Arrest
The investigation led police to Meerut, where on March 9, a specialized team under the leadership of Inspector in-charge of cyber crime, Satish Yadav, was dispatched. Critical information from a special informer revealed that the account holder linked to the fraud, initially identified as Amar Tiwari, was actually Arshad Ansari. He was subsequently arrested from the Lisadi Gate police station area in Meerut.
During interrogation, Arshad Ansari, a resident of Ansar Block in Karim Nagar, Meerut, confessed to his involvement. He disclosed that he, along with associates, had prepared forged Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and other documents in the name of Amar Tiwari in the Nalasopara area of Mumbai. Using these fake identities, they opened a bank account to funnel the fraudulently obtained money.
Recovery of Assets and Legal Actions
Ansari further admitted that from the illicit funds, he had purchased gold worth approximately Rs 55 lakh from a reputed company in Noida. Based on the evidence collected, police added Sections 339, 340(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to the case. Various forged documents and banking-related materials were recovered from a file during the investigation.
In recognition of their efforts, the police team that successfully solved this high-profile case was awarded Rs 25,000. This arrest underscores the importance of vigilance against cyber threats and the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement actions in combating digital fraud.
