Prayagraj Cyber Fraud Racket Busted: 3 Fake Bank Officials Arrested
Cybercrime Ring Posing as Bank Officials Dismantled in Prayagraj, Three Arrested
A coordinated effort by Prayagraj’s cyber police has led to the arrest of three individuals accused of operating a cyber fraud racket.
The Arrests
The suspects, identified as Monu Kumar, Mohammad Sajid alias Golu, and Sameer Alam, allegedly impersonated bank officials to deceive victims into divulging sensitive information and surrendering control of their mobile devices.
The accused, all residents of southwest Delhi, were taken into judicial custody after being produced before a court.
Modus Operandi
A thorough investigation revealed that the suspects would contact potential victims, claiming to represent a bank, and offer services such as insurance activation, credit card upgrades, or Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.
During these conversations, the suspects would persuade victims to download a malicious application, which granted the fraudsters remote access to the victim’s mobile phone.
This allowed them to intercept SMS messages, capture one-time passwords (OTPs), access banking apps, and initiate unauthorized fund transfers.
In many cases, victims only realized they had been defrauded after money had already been withdrawn from their accounts.
Investigation and Aftermath
At least 15 complaints against the accused have been registered across multiple states, highlighting the scope of the operation.
Cyber investigators are currently conducting forensic analysis of the seized mobile phones, SIM cards, and bank records to identify the flow of funds and locate other members of the network.
As the investigation progresses, officials are working to map the wider network and anticipate further arrests.
In the meantime, authorities have issued a public advisory warning citizens that banks never ask customers to download applications or provide sensitive information over the phone.
Conclusion
The suspects’ tactics relied heavily on social engineering, exploiting victims’ trust in the banking system.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and awareness in preventing cybercrime.
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