Hyd: 8 fraudsters arrested for selling fake iPhones

Eight accused persons who cheated people by posting fake ads of mobile phones on Instagram were arrested by Tukaramgate police. The accused adevertised selling I Phone Max Pro Mobile phones at lesser price.

They lured the victim to deposit some money as advance amount, delivery charges, GST, Customs and etc. Later, they did not deliver the mobile phone.

As per the complainant, G Pravalika stated that she came across the culprits ad- 'Switch Electronics Officials' on Instagram on 29 May, 2022.

She texted the number provided in the ad and contacted the accused who stated that he was the owner of Switch Electronics. The complainant place an order for the phone and transferred money via paytm. She paid Rs 68,405.

The police recovered Rs 60,000. They also seized 94 bank accounts, 52 ATM cards, 9 sim cards and more from the accused's possession.

Modus Operandi:

The offenders obtain several SIM cards and create Paytm accounts and bank accounts for the same. After which, they will start posting the ads in Instagram on pretext of selling mobile phones and electronic goods at lesser prices.

Whenever any person shows interest to buy those, they will send photos of fake purchasing bills claiming it be of previous customers to gain the confidence of the interested buyers.

Afterwards they will induce the victim that the item which was posted is for urgent sale and state that several persons have shown interest, insisting customers to transfer the money as advance immediately.

When the victim transfers the advance amount, the fraudster will then send a fake Amazon booking receipt that he is sending item through Amazon delivery courier and asks to deposit some more amount.

Later, the same fraudster contacts the victim from other mobile numbers personating as customs department and convinces the victim that he is nearby his residence and insist to transfer the remaining amount, GST and excess amount saying that all these are refundable.

Mostly the transactions happen through Paytm & HDFC bank accounts. They later withdraw the amount at different places by using ATM cards.

This modus operandi chosen by fraudster is mainly to deceive victims that the transaction is happening with the genuine sellers of Apple products and is in the name of the original name of the company.