Four cyberfraudsters in police net

The police have busted an international gang of fraudsters with the arrest of four persons. The accused allegedly provided bank accounts and mobile SIMs to Philippines-based cyber fraudsters in lieu of money.

The accused have been identified as Pankaj, Arshdeep, Manga Singh, all residents of Patiala, and Birbal, the owner of a shop from where SIMs were purchased.

The police said Pankaj, Arshdeep and Manga lured innocent youngsters into opening new bank accounts on the pretext of creating salary accounts for a 'fictitious' new job. “The ATM card and net banking details of the account were kept by the gang. These were further sold to Philippines-based cyber fraudsters Babu and Sumi, who are also of Punjabi origin. Each savings bank account was sold for Rs 10,000 and a current bank account Rs 40,000," said SSP Varun Sharma.

So far more than 30 such bank accounts have been sold to the cyber fraudsters and used to launder money.

“Complete transaction details of these mule bank accounts are being obtained. The gang also ran an unauthorised de-addiction centre on Chaura Road, Patiala, for some time and inmates were lured into purchasing new SIMs in their name and provide it to the gang for Rs 500 each. These SIMs were then sold and clandestinely couriered to Philippines-based cyber fraudsters," said Tarandeep Kaur, SHO, cybercrime police station.

The police said around 50 SIMs had been sent to Philippines so far. The SIMs were used to call innocent people in India and commit cyber fraud with them. All these SIM cards were purchased without proper verification from a single shop, Digital Zone, said the police, adding that the shop owner, Birbal, was arrested.

A case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act has been registered at the cybercrime police station.