Pune Cybercrime Police Arrest Mule Account Supplier in Major Digital Fraud Case
In a significant development in a high-profile cybercrime case, the Pune cybercrime police have arrested Amar Shivaji Attargi, a 24-year-old resident of Solapur, for his alleged role as a mule account supplier in a digital arrest fraud that resulted in an 82-year-old retired man from Bhandarkar Road being duped of Rs 10.75 crore. This arrest follows the earlier apprehension of two other individuals in connection with the same case.
Details of the Digital Arrest Scam
The fraud occurred in the last week of January, when online criminals impersonated officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the judiciary. They targeted the elderly victim, placing him under a digital arrest by alleging his involvement in a fabricated money laundering case. The scammers claimed that his bank accounts had been used for illegal transactions, creating a sense of urgency and fear.
To make the scam appear legitimate, the suspects set up a virtual courtroom and offered the victim legal assistance to defend himself. Under this guise, they convinced him to transfer his life savings and fixed deposits, totaling Rs 10.75 crore, to various bank accounts. The victim, trusting the impersonated authorities, complied, leading to a devastating financial loss.
Previous Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
On February 22, the Pune cybercrime police had already arrested two other men in this case: Harshad Subhas Dhantole, a 23-year-old BTech student, and Samarth Suresh Deshmukh, a 24-year-old resident, both from Karvenagar. Despite these arrests, the police are still actively searching for a social media influencer believed to be involved in orchestrating the fraud.
Senior Inspector Swapnali Shinde of the Pune cybercrime police provided insights into Attargi's role. Attargi, an unemployed individual, collected numerous mule bank accounts and handed them over to the social media influencer, who then supplied these accounts to the fraudsters for executing online crimes, she stated. When questioned about Attargi's motives, Shinde explained that he received a commission for each account he provided, highlighting the financial incentives driving such criminal activities.
Recovery Efforts and Broader Implications
In their investigation, the police have managed to seize Rs 1.34 crore from various banks and in cash from the suspects. This recovery is part of ongoing efforts to mitigate the victim's losses and bring the perpetrators to justice. The case underscores the growing threat of sophisticated online scams, particularly those targeting vulnerable populations like the elderly.
The use of mule accounts—bank accounts opened or controlled by individuals who allow them to be used for illicit transactions—has become a common tactic in cybercrimes. This arrest sheds light on the networks that facilitate such frauds, emphasizing the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and public awareness to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging citizens to remain vigilant against unsolicited communications from alleged officials and to verify any such claims through official channels before taking action. The Pune cybercrime police are committed to pursuing all leads to ensure comprehensive justice in this distressing case.
