DO NOT FALL PREY TO THE ALLURE OF CHEAP AIRLINE TICKETS OFFERED AT THROWAWAY PRICES, AS THEY COULD LEAD TO CYBER FRAUD."
Face2News/New Delhi
The Cyber Police Station, Outer North Delhi, has uncovered fraudulent activities where scammers trick individuals into paying for cheaper airline tickets that do not exist, or steal sensitive personal and financial details. The scam operated through social media ads offering cheap air tickets.
A complaint was received via NCRP Portal on 19/11/2024, acknowledging the financial fraud of ₹47,681/- by the complainant Rajeev Chopra, a resident of Bhagat Singh Park, Siraspur, Delhi. The complainant saw an ad on Facebook for air tickets from Delhi to Toronto at cheap prices. After that the complainant contacted the number that was flashing on that ad which was a virtual mobile number. After chatting on WhatsApp on that virtual number, the scammer offered them cheap air tickets and asked the complainant to share his details. And then the scammer booked the air ticket on any airline site and air ticket Delhi to Toronto at cheapest price. Then the scammer asked the complainant to transfer the money. Upon receiving the complaint, an initial inquiry was conducted by HC Rahul Nigam. The preliminary findings indicated an offense under Section 318(4) BNS, and FIR no. 47/2024 was registered on dt. 19/12/2024.
Mr. Nidhin Valsan, IPS Deputy Commissioner Of Police Outer North District, said , sensing the gravity of the offense, a team headed by Insp. Raman Kumar Singh SHO/PS Cyber Crime/Outer North District, comprising of SI Amit Ahlawat, IO/HC Rahul Nigam, HC Anil, HC Fateh Singh,WHC Saubhagyawati and WHC Seema was constituted under the supervision of ACP/Operation Sh. Dinesh Kumar and under overall supervision of Sh Nirav Patel, Addl. DCP-II/OND.
During the investigation, call details of suspected numbers and mobile numbers registered in bank accounts were obtained, and a money trail was conducted. During the course of the investigation, a team was formed comprising SI Amit Ahlawat, HC Rahul Nigam, HC Anil, HC Fateh. Raids were conducted at Charni Road, Mumbai and Virar East, Maharshtra locations, including Lajpat Nagar-2 Delhi. At each location, the accused persons—Rohit Rajaram Ghanekar and Salman Sayeed Siddiqui—were traced and based on the sufficient evidence and material collected, both the accused persons were arrested as per due procedure of law.
MODUS OPERANDI: "The modus operandi involved a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme using Virtual Number (VOIP) calls and fake bank accounts to dupe victims and withdraw money. The mastermind, Salman Sayeed Siddiqui, was previously arrested in a similar case at Sahar Police Station, Greater Mumbai, for defrauding people by offering cheaper international tickets in 2023.
The accused used virtual numbers (VOIP) to make calls to unsuspecting customers while posing as a legitimate travel agent. These calls were designed to lure victims into transferring money to fake accounts. Rohit played a crucial role in facilitating the next steps of the crime. He arranged for the creation of mule bank accounts and procured fraudulent SIM cards.
Through these fraudulent methods, Rohit and his associates withdrew large sums of money and transferred the stolen funds into various accounts under their control. Their use of VOIP calls, fake accounts, and SIM cards allowed them to carry out the fraud with a degree of anonymity, making detection more challenging.
KNOW THE ACCUSED: Accused Salman Sayeed Siddiqui S/o Mohd. Yakoob Siddiqui R/o Present Address:- L-38, Lajpat Nagar-2, Delhi, Permanent Address:- H.No. 18A, Karamat Ki Chowki, Kareli, Distt. Prayagraj (UP) Age – 50 years.
Salman Sayeed Siddiqui was born in Prayagraj (UP) in 1970. Salman Sayeed Siddiqui has done his studies till 12th from his native place. After completing his studies, completed his Graduation from Usmania University, Hyderabad. Then he started his job with Raheja Center, Mumbai based on travels and tourism. He also worked in Indo-Saudi Travels and Fare wash Travels at Marol, Mumbai. After that, in 2021, he opened his own travels and tourism agency in Janpath, Delhi. He done IATA Course and well versed in tour operation and air ticketing mechanism.
Previous involvement: -
He was previously arrested in 2023 at Sahar Police Station, Greater Mumbai, in connection with an international air ticket scam under FIR No. 420/2023, dated 11/08/2023. The case was registered under Sections 420, 419, 465, 468, 471, and 120B of the IPC at PS Sahar, Mumbai, resulting in the apprehension of 16 individuals.
During the investigation, call details of suspected numbers and mobile numbers registered in bank accounts were obtained, and a money trail was conducted. During the course of the investigation, a team was formed comprising SI Amit Ahlawat, HC Rahul Nigam, HC Anil, HC Fateh. Raids were conducted at Charni Road, Mumbai and Virar East, Maharshtra locations, including Lajpat Nagar-2 Delhi. At each location, the accused persons—Rohit Rajaram Ghanekar and Salman Sayeed Siddiqui—were traced and based on the sufficient evidence and material collected, both the accused persons were arrested as per due procedure of law.
Further investigations are underway to determine his other involvements, as he is the mastermind behind the scam and frequently shifts his operations from one city to another."
2. Rohit Rajaram Ghanekar S/o Rajaram Tukaram Ghanekar R/o Room No. 102, Chinmay Apartment, Prathmesh Nagar Phoolpada Road, Virar East, Maharashtra Age – 29 years
Rohit Rajaram Ghanekar was born in the village Gandhar Pale in the Raigarh district of Maharashtra. Rohit has done his studies till 10th from his native place. After completing his studies, he came to Mumbai in 2012. And due to the poor financial condition of his family background, he started getting fake accounts and SIM cards issued to scammers. He came in contact with scammers and in the greed of earning more money in less time, he started providing account and SIM to the scammers mainly cyber crooks.
RECOVERY: 12 mobile phones used for executing the scam., 3 laptops containing critical digital evidence related to fraudulent transactions and fake website management., 22 Debit and Credit cards, 06 Cheque Book/Pass Book, 04 WIFI Router, 01 Tab Phone, 1 WIFI Pod. 01 Stamp. 03 Sim cards
Further investigation of the case is in progress.