Puri Cyber Police Apprehend Fraudster in Sophisticated Traffic Challan Scam
The cyber police unit in Puri made a significant breakthrough on Sunday by arresting a man allegedly involved in a sophisticated online fraud scheme. The accused, identified as Kartik Hati, aged 35 and a resident of Balangir, was taken into custody for circulating fake and malicious files that were cleverly disguised as legitimate traffic challans.
Victim's Complaint Reveals Elaborate Scam
The case came to light when Mrutyunjay Tripathy, a 43-year-old resident of Puri's Talabania area, filed a formal complaint on January 13. According to his statement, he suffered a substantial financial loss of Rs 1.62 lakh after clicking on a malicious Android Package Kit (APK) file that was sent to him via WhatsApp. The file was deceptively named RTO challan, leading him to believe it was an official communication regarding traffic violations.
Modus Operandi of Cyber Fraudsters
Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh provided detailed insights into how these cybercriminals operate. Fraudsters are systematically sending fake APK files and malicious links under the guise of legitimate services to siphon money from unsuspecting victims, he explained. These files are strategically named to exploit public curiosity and trust in government initiatives.
The SP highlighted several common disguises used by scammers:
- Traffic challan notifications
- Reward announcements
- PM Kisan scheme updates
- PM Rojgar program communications
- Subhadra Yojna reward notifications
Once these malicious files are opened, scammers gain unauthorized access to the victim's device, enabling them to extract sensitive personal data and banking information. This access allows them to conduct unauthorized transactions and compromise financial security.
Accused's Criminal History and Investigation Details
Further investigation into Kartik Hati's background revealed that he was already wanted by the Asansol police in West Bengal for similar cybercrime activities. The Puri police discovered that Hati was working in collusion with multiple associates to orchestrate this elaborate fraud scheme.
Police authorities have taken immediate action by freezing Hati's bank account and seizing his mobile phone as crucial evidence in the case. Law enforcement officials are currently making concerted efforts to trace and apprehend his accomplices who remain at large.
Growing Threat of Government Scheme Exploitation
This case highlights a disturbing trend where cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting public trust in government welfare programs and official communications. The use of familiar scheme names like PM Kisan and Subhadra Yojna demonstrates how fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated in their approach to social engineering attacks.
Cyber security experts warn that such scams are particularly dangerous because they prey on people's legitimate concerns about government notifications and potential rewards. The emotional manipulation combined with technical deception creates a potent threat to digital security across the region.
Preventive Measures and Public Awareness
Authorities are urging citizens to exercise extreme caution when receiving unsolicited files or links, even if they appear to come from official sources. Recommended safety measures include:
- Never downloading APK files from unknown sources
- Verifying the authenticity of government communications through official channels
- Installing reputable security software on all devices
- Regularly updating device operating systems and applications
- Reporting suspicious messages to cyber police immediately
The Puri cyber police have assured the public that they are intensifying their efforts to combat such digital frauds and have established dedicated channels for reporting cybercrime incidents. This arrest serves as a warning to other potential fraudsters while providing some reassurance to citizens that law enforcement is actively working to protect them from online threats.
