2 online fraud syndicates busted

The Delhi Police busted two syndicates engaged in large-scale online fraud using malicious android package kit (APK) files and arrested seven persons.

The gangs, operating from Jharkhand and Rajasthan, targeted unsuspecting victims across the country by impersonating bank officials and customer care executives, officials said on Friday.

In the first case, a fraudster posing as a bank official convinced an Indian Army officer to install a malicious APK file on the pretext of stopping an unauthorised transaction.

As soon as the victim installed the file and entered his credit card details, 13 transactions totaling Rs 1.81 lakh were carried out within minutes.

Following an investigation, the police traced the fraud’s origins to Jamtara and Dumka in Jharkhand. They conducted raids in these regions, resulting in the arrest of mastermind Munna Kumar Baidya.

His associates - Dinesh Kumar Mandal and Bipin Kumar - were also apprehended. Six smartphones, including the primary calling device, were recovered from them.

“During interrogation, Munna revealed that he purchased APK files via Telegram for Rs 2,500 each and used WhatsApp to acquire sensitive banking details of over 20,000 individuals,” said DCP (South-West) Surendra Choudhary.

The gang members made thousands of calls across the country, tricking victims into installing fake bank apps and stealing their financial credentials.

In another case, a retired DRDO scientist lost Rs 40 lakh after searching for Yahoo customer support online and calling a fraudulent number. The fraudster sent him an APK file, tricking him into entering sensitive banking details. The scamsters siphoned off funds from his savings and fixed deposits.

A detailed investigation traced the syndicate to Deoghar and Jamtara in Jharkhand and Mewat in Rajasthan. Raids led to the arrest of key members, including mastermind Iqbal Ansari, who managed fraudulent Google ads and call forwarding.

Other members, including Sajid Khan, Salman Khan and Narendra Kumar, were responsible for withdrawing money through ATMs and recruiting bank account handlers. Five smartphones containing victim details were seized.

“These fraudsters operate sophisticated networks, frequently changing devices and SIM cards to evade detection,” said DCP Surendra Choudhary.