Udaipur Police Crack Down on International Cyber Fraud Operation
In a decisive move against cyber criminals exploiting technology to defraud citizens overseas, a coordinated police operation in Udaipur has led to the arrest of 12 accused individuals, including a young woman. The late-night raid, conducted at the New Mewar Kathiyawadi Hotel in Kumawaton ka Guda, marks a significant breakthrough in combating cross-border digital fraud.
Massive Seizure of Equipment and Vehicles
During the operation, law enforcement authorities confiscated a substantial cache of equipment allegedly used in the fraudulent activities. The seized items include four laptops, 14 mobile phones, two vehicles, and various other accessories. This haul underscores the scale and sophistication of the criminal enterprise, which relied heavily on technology to execute its schemes.
Modus Operandi: Posing as Apple Employees
Police investigations reveal that the accused were operating under the guise of Sunset Adventure, a front used to procure personal data of American citizens. This data included sensitive information such as names, mobile numbers, and addresses. The fraudsters allegedly posed as employees of Apple, contacting victims to inform them about additional charges on purchased or proposed Apple products.
Using this pretext, they promised refunds to the victims, persuading them to transfer money in dollars under the false claim of processing these refunds. This deceptive tactic allowed the criminals to siphon funds from unsuspecting individuals abroad, highlighting the global reach of their operations.
Tip-Off Leads to Night Raid and Arrests
The operation was initiated based on a credible tip-off indicating that 10–12 individuals were running a fraudulent call center from the hotel. Acting swiftly, a joint team comprising the District Special Team and Gogunda police conducted a night raid, detaining all suspects present at the location. The raid was meticulously planned and executed to ensure no escape or destruction of evidence.
Leadership and Supervision of the Operation
The successful crackdown was supervised by senior police officials, including Additional SP (HQ) Gopal Swaroop Mewar and DSP (Circle Girwa) Gopal Chandel. The joint team was led by SHO Gogunda Shyam Singh, whose strategic coordination played a pivotal role in the operation's success. Their leadership ensured a seamless and effective response to the cyber threat.
Kingpin Identified and Technical Methods Exposed
Police have identified Shahrukh Manshuri as the alleged kingpin of the fraud ring. Investigators disclosed that the accused contacted foreign nationals through a TFN number using the Ibeam app. They directed victims to click on links sent by them, which were designed to extract payments fraudulently. This method leveraged digital tools to exploit victims' trust and technical vulnerabilities.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
With the arrests made, further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the fraud network, including potential accomplices and additional victims. Authorities are analyzing the seized devices for evidence and working to trace the flow of illicit funds. This case underscores the importance of vigilance and international cooperation in tackling cybercrime, as digital fraud continues to evolve and target individuals across borders.
