Varanasi Cyber Crime Unit Cracks Down on Major Credit Card Fraud Ring
In a significant breakthrough, the cyber crime cell in Varanasi successfully dismantled an organized gang on Tuesday that had been systematically defrauding individuals across India. The criminal network allegedly swindled victims out of lakhs of rupees by posing as legitimate financial service providers offering lifetime free credit cards with enhanced limits.
Three Key Arrests Made Following Intensive Investigation
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Akash Patel confirmed that after thorough interrogation and digital tracking, authorities apprehended three primary suspects. The arrested individuals have been identified as Anish Verma from Ballia, along with Purushottam Kumar and Tuktuk Kumar Pandit, both residents of Deoghar in Jharkhand. The arrests were executed through coordinated efforts between the cyber crime cell and Sarnath police units.
How the Elaborate Scam Operated
The fraudulent operation followed a sophisticated multi-step process designed to extract sensitive financial information from unsuspecting victims:
- The gang created numerous fake Facebook profiles and pages to advertise attractive credit card offers with lifetime free membership and increased spending limits.
- When potential victims expressed interest, the scammers would collect their mobile numbers, PAN details, and bank account information under the guise of processing their application.
- They then persuaded targets to download and install a counterfeit APK file that closely resembled the official ICICI Bank credit card application.
- During subsequent video calls, the accused would request victims to share details of their existing credit cards, including card numbers, CVV codes, and expiration dates.
Advanced Technical Manipulation and Money Laundering
Police investigations revealed that the fake application gave the gang complete access to victims' OTPs and SMS data through their malicious "ICICI Admin" app. This unauthorized access enabled them to:
- Execute unauthorized online transactions
- Transfer funds to various digital wallets
- Generate virtual cards to withdraw money directly
- Make direct online purchases using stolen credentials
The accused employed sophisticated evasion techniques, including using fake SIM cards and frequently changing mobile devices to avoid detection. They channeled the illicit funds through multiple digital wallets using rent-pay facilities before transferring the money to various bank accounts.
Nationwide Impact and Digital Evidence Recovery
Authorities have confirmed that over 50 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered against the gang across different states in India. The investigation was significantly aided by complaints received through the recently launched 'Pratibimb' portal, a dedicated platform for reporting cybercrime cases.
During the initial investigation, police have estimated the total cyber fraud to be approximately Rs 50 lakh. The evidence recovery operation yielded substantial digital proof, including:
- 10 mobile phones used in the operation
- 9 SIM cards, many suspected to be fraudulent
- Details of approximately 200 APK files
- Several suspicious applications including ICICI Admin, User Admin, Virtual Card Holder, Zetpartner, Zil Money, T-Wallet, C-Wallet, Superpay, and Aaba Pay
The cyber crime cell continues to investigate the full extent of the gang's operations and is working to identify additional victims and accomplices. This case highlights the growing sophistication of digital financial fraud and the importance of public awareness regarding online financial transactions.
