ONE ACCUSED HAILS FROM SIRMOUR IN HIMACHAL AND TWO OTHERS FROM BIHAR
(MOREPIC1)Face2News/New Delhi
The Cyber Cell of Crime Branch, Delhi reportedly achieved a significant breakthrough by arresting three accused persons involved in a high-value Digital Arrest cyber fraud case.
The complainant 82-year-old senior citizen, was digitally intimidated and coerced into transferring a total amount of ₹1,16,00,000/-under the false pretext of legal action. The accused impersonated law enforcement officials and showed fake arrest order over WhatsApp video call, placing the victim under psychological pressure.
MAJOR BREAKTHROUGHS & ARRESTS
• A major portion of the cheated amount (1.10 Cr) was credited to the account of one NGO located in Himachal Pradesh. • The account was being operated by fraudsters based in Patna, Bihar.• A total of 32 complaints are registered against this account on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), amounting to approx. Rs 24 Crores. • Multiple raids were conducted in the area of Himachal Pradesh and Bihar, leading to the arrest of three accused persons in the case.
KNOW THE ACCUSED: Prabhakar Kumar (27), 12th pass resident of district Nalanda, Bihar, installed a malicious APK file on the mobile phone of co-accused Dev Raj, activating SIM cards linked to fraudulent bank accounts. He remained in constant contact with cyber fraudsters over WhatsApp virtual numbers, received commission in cash, distributed proceeds among associates and earned a substantial commission for his role.
(SUBHEAD)Rupesh Kumar Singh (37), graduate, resident of district Vaishali, Bihar received NGO current account Kit through postal delivery and coordinated meetings of co-accused in Patna. He facilitated the execution of fraudulent transaction from a hotel, acted as a key mediator between account holder and fraudsters, and received a substantial commission.
Dev Raj (46), 12th pass, resident of District Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, runs NGO, opened a current account in the name of NGO in connivance with his father Ved Prakash, the authorised signatory. For easy money, they handed over the account to Rupesh Kumar in Bihar. Devraj facilitated the fraud by sharing internet banking credentials and OTPs, travelled to Patna to execute transactions and received a substantial commission.
MODUS OPERANDI: The accused impersonated law enforcement agencies and placed the victim under Digital Arrest.
• The victim was psychologically coerced and threatened with legal consequences. • The accused routed the cheated amount through NGO and personal bank accounts.• Internet banking credentials and OTPs were misused to transfer and launder funds. • The proceeds of crime were distributed among co-accused as commission.
Mr. Aditya Gauram, Dy. Commissioner of Police Cyber Cell, Crime, said, the operation was successfully executed by a dedicated team of Inspector Subhash Chandra, comprising SI Jagseer Singh, HC Gaurav and HC Mohit under the close supervision of ACP Shri Anil Sharma. Further investigation is in progress.
