₹19 Crore USDT Fraud: 3 Arrested for Hacking Bank Account via Fake Website

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Three Individuals Arrested in ₹19 Crore Cryptocurrency Scam

A recent operation by cybercrime authorities has led to the arrest of three individuals accused of orchestrating a ₹19 crore cryptocurrency scam. The suspects allegedly used a fake website to deceive a victim into divulging sensitive banking and cryptocurrency credentials, resulting in the theft of 21,04,089 USDT.

Modus Operandi

According to investigators, the perpetrators initiated contact with the victim earlier this year, posing as potential buyers of USDT. To facilitate the supposed transaction, they instructed the victim to complete a Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification process on a website called ‘trontag.org’. Unbeknownst to the victim, the site was a phishing tool designed to capture banking details, login credentials, and authentication data.

Once the victim entered the required information, the suspects promptly transferred the USDT from the victim’s account to their own digital wallets. The victim subsequently discovered the fraud and reported it to the cybercrime police, who launched an investigation.

Investigation and Arrests

One of the arrested individuals is believed to have developed and managed the fake website. The portal was crafted to closely resemble a legitimate cryptocurrency KYC platform, which reduced suspicion and increased the likelihood of victims entering sensitive details. The investigation revealed that the suspects attempted to obscure the money trail through wallet layering and fund routing techniques, moving the stolen assets across multiple addresses.

However, transaction mapping and server log analysis enabled the authorities to track the operation and apprehend the suspects. Cybercrime officials have issued a public advisory warning citizens not to share banking or cryptocurrency KYC details on unknown links or unverified platforms. Users are urged to conduct transactions only through officially recognized exchanges and secure channels.

Charges and Precautions

The authorities have booked the suspects under relevant provisions of the IT Act and cheating laws. The case highlights the growing use of phishing websites and social engineering in cryptocurrency-related frauds, where victims are tricked into compromising their own credentials. Vigilance, verification of URLs, and the use of trusted platforms remain the most effective safeguards against such scams.

The investigation is ongoing to determine whether additional gang members or a wider network of money launderers were involved in the scam.