Varanasi Police Bust Cyber Fraud Gang; Rs 116.86 Crore Scam Unearthed
Varanasi Police and the Cyber Crime Cell have arrested four individuals in connection with a cyber fraud gang accused of orchestrating a scam amounting to approximately Rs 116.86 crore. The arrests follow an investigation that uncovered a sophisticated modus operandi involving the use of bank accounts opened in the names of unsuspecting individuals and an APK file to intercept OTPs.
The arrested accused have been identified as Nitish Kumar Pandey (32), Dushyant Singh (34), Himanshu Jha (25), and Mohd Rehan, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Vinay Kumar Dwivedi. Pandey, described as the mastermind, is a resident of Rohtas in Sasaram, Bihar.
The Modus Operandi
According to ACP Dwivedi, the accused lured people in Varanasi with promises of commission. They then got firms registered in the names of these individuals and opened bank accounts in the names of the firms. The accused would subsequently obtain the bank kits and internet banking details of the current accounts linked to the firms, which were then allegedly used for investment fraud and betting app activities.
The gang allegedly installed an APK file named XePay on their mobile phones. Through this application, they activated SMS forwarding, allowing them to intercept OTPs and gain access to operate the bank accounts. The money earned through cyber fraud was transferred to different bank accounts and circulated through multiple accounts to conceal its source and flow, investigators said.
Investigation and Complaints
The investigation revealed 143 complaints registered against the accused on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), linked to 41 bank accounts associated with the gang. The probe has uncovered fraud amounting to approximately Rs 116.86 crore.
A case has been registered under sections 318(4), 317(2), 317(4), 112(2), and 61(2B) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Chetganj police station.
Recovery and Further Action
During the operation, police recovered seven mobile phones (including four iPhones and three Android phones), a laptop, 19 cheque books, six passbooks, 40 debit cards, and 48 QR scanners from the accused. Two vehicles were also seized. Police have also recovered two credit cards, four shopping cards, one Green Remit Card, one gaming card, and one driving licence.
A police team has been deployed to arrest Prateek Tiwari alias Bunty, a resident of Samne Ghat in Varanasi, and Romil Verma, who are also allegedly involved in the case. Further investigation is underway.