Hyderabad: Auto-rickshaw driver snatches phone from passenger, steals Rs 1.95L using QR codes; 3 held

Hyderabad: Cyber Crime Police have arrested three persons for stealing Rs 1.95 lakh from a 68-year-old man’s account by carrying out unauthorized online transactions using QR codes.

Fraud unfolds during an Auto ride

On September 17, the victim boarded an auto at Uppal to travel to Tarnaka. The vehicle was driven by Mohammed Moinuddin (31), of Balanagar, accompanied by his friends Mohammed Syed Salman alias Sultan (21), a car driver, and Mohammed Hussain (32), a vegetable trader from Rajendranagar.

After reaching the destination, the elderly passenger scanned a QR code to pay the fare. Seizing the opportunity, driver Moinuddin snatched the victim’s phone before leaving.

Cash withdrawn and routed through Gaming Accounts

Using the stolen device, Moinuddin and Sultan visited a petrol pump in Tarnaka, where they fraudulently transferred Rs 1 lakh from the victim’s Union Bank account. The duo kept Rs 50,000 each.

Subsequently, with Hussain’s help, they diverted another Rs 95,000 into gaming platform wallets and withdrew the amount via Hussain’s Federal Bank account. The three shared the proceeds.

Victim realizes the fraud days later

The following day, the senior citizen blocked his lost SIM and obtained a new one. On September 20, he received an alert about a Rs 5,000 debit. On checking his bank account, he discovered that a total of Rs 1.95 lakh had been withdrawn without his knowledge.

Police crack the case

Acting on his complaint, Cyber Crime Police tracked the money trail and arrested all three accused. Officials said investigations are continuing to determine if the gang was involved in similar offences elsewhere.