How Cyberabad cops rescued a 66-year-old from digital arrest
The caller threatened the victim to pay claiming that her SBI account was being used for money laundering
By Newsmeter Network Published on 22 Feb 2025 7:57 AM IST
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Hyderabad: Five persons were arrested for a case involving a 66-year-old retired government employee who was scammed of Rs 28.68 lakh in a digital arrest scam.
The caller threatened the victim to pay claiming that her SBI account was being used for money laundering.
The caller claimed the victim was a suspect in a crime
According to the complaint, the victim received a threatening phone call (+9986159427). The caller falsely informed the victim that her Aadhaar ID was used to open an SBI account in her name at a branch in Mumbai, which was allegedly linked to a money laundering case.
The āofficerā explained that she was an alleged suspect in a case involving an individual named Vivek Das and they had found her SBI account passbook, through which a transaction of Rs 3 crores was made. The caller warned the victim that she could face imprisonment for 3 to 7 years, along with a hefty fine of up to Rs 50 lakh, unless she cooperated. With great fear, the victim transferred a total of Rs 28,68,504.67.
The subsequent investigation revealed a complex web of several individuals as accused. Hamza (A2), a bike mechanic worked with Babu (A1), the mastermind of the fraud, to facilitate fraudulent transactions using bank accounts supplied by Mustafa (A3).
These accounts were obtained from Hensily Joseph (A4) and VP Manikandan (A5) by A3 and given to A1 through A2. The funds were then withdrawn by A2 and handed over to A1 with the help of Ashif Ali Peringadakkad (A6). On February 17, the Cyber Crime Police arrested Mustafa, Hensily Joseph and Manikandan in Meppadi, Kerala. Hamza and Ashif Ali were arrested on February 19 at Kondotty, Malappuram District, Kerala. All accused are from Kerala.
The accused A2 is suspected of supplying more than 30+ bank accounts to A1, which were used in carrying out the fraudulent transactions. The total amount of money withdrawn and handed over to A1 exceeds Rs 2 crores. The investigation is ongoing and further arrests will follow, the police said.
The Cyber Crime Police Station, Cyberabad, has registered a complaint based on the complaint of the victim. A case was registered under sections 204, 318(4), 335, 336(3), 338, 340(2) r/w 3(5) BNS and Sec 66-C of IT Act 2000-2008.
Advisory to the public
- Be sceptical of urgent demands for money or personal information such as Aadhaar numbers, bank account numbers or OTPs.
- Always verify the source of the communication and confirm the information with the concerned authorities or institutions.
- Block and report any suspicious numbers, especially when they demand money or personal information.
- Be cautious of links received through messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram or email.
For more details on cybercrimes or if you suspect any fraudulent activities online, please contact/ report to the national helpline at 1930 immediately or visit the nearest police station.
