This is my new number”, a simple WhatsApp message from an unfamiliar number with a picture of your boss, a relative, or a close acquaintance could be the beginning of a cyber fraud, the police have warned.
The South Cyber Police have busted a racket in which fraudsters allegedly used SIM cards obtained through “illegally misused KYC details” with WhatsApp profiles bearing pictures of familiar persons to deceive victims into transferring money.
The police have arrested two persons for allegedly defrauding a company of Rs 48.60 lakh by impersonating as the company’s CEO. Police also seized 161 Airtel SIM cards, a mobile phone, and other equipment from their possession.
[popcorn number="February 26" desc="Day fraud came to light" class="Default"]
KYC trail uncovered fraud
Police said a KYC trail became a crucial clue in identifying the network and eventually led investigators to the alleged SIM supplier and handler. The original fraud came to light on February 26, when the victim received a WhatsApp message from the company’s “director”.
On his order, the victim — the company’s accountant — transferred Rs 48,60,511 to several accounts specified by the fraudsters. A case was filed and the police managed to secure the entire defrauded amount. The operation was conducted under the guidance of DCP (Cyber Crime) Bajrang Bansode, ACP Cyrus Irani, Senior PI Nandkumar Gopale and the South Cyber Police.
The accused
Police arrested Aamir Chand Mohammad Khan, 22, an Airtel SIM distributor from Rukundipur in Siwan, Bihar, on August 14. Khan was allegedly involved in activating SIM cards without the knowledge of customers. Police said he had allegedly sold eight SIM cards for R6000 to one Suraj Kumar alias Vishal, a resident of Jharkhand. Suraj was subsequently arrested on August 16.
Cyber fraud cases
Since the establishment of dedicated Cyber Police Stations in Mumbai in 2022, around 24,600 cyber fraud cases have been registered in the city. So far, the authorities have managed to freeze/hold nearly Rs 570 crore linked to these fraudulent transactions.
The refunds by cyber police
The Money Restoration Module (MRM), introduced by the Mumbai Cyber Police in July this year, has so far helped facilitate the refund of around Rs 4 crore to victims of cyber fraud. Another Rs 18 crore is currently under the refund process and is expected to be credited to the complainants’ bank accounts in the coming days.
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