Panchkula: 1 more held for defrauding 83-year-old in ‘digital arrest' scam
₹ 57.90 lakh from his bank accounts. (HT Photo for representation)
The arrest follows a complaint filed by a Sector-16 resident on January 16. The victim alleged that he was contacted via a WhatsApp call on January 16, 2025, by a scammer posing as a police officer from Hyderabad. The fraudster falsely claimed the victim was involved in a serious money laundering case.
The victim was then 'digitally arrested' via a video call, threatened, and forced to stay on camera. Over three days, the scammers tricked him into transferring ₹57.90 lakh from his bank accounts.
The accused was taken on a six-day police remand to aid the investigation. Police had previously arrested two other accused identified as Manish and Amit from Hisar on July 29, and Birbal's arrest was based on the information gathered from them.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Suspected JeM member arrested in Andhra Pradesh's Dharmavaram
'He is attracted by terrorist literature' During their observation, Noor was found to be indulging in anti-social activities and promoting terrorism through his preachings, infusing the same into young Muslim youths in the region by creating WhatsApp groups. The NIA and local police had been keeping a close watch on the movements of several suspects following the recent arrest of two militants from Rayachoti town in Annamayya district, which led them to Noor Mohammed. The accused was later shifted to an undisclosed location where the police are collecting details such as his social media postings, WhatsApp groups belonging to the banned terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed, and internal groups with local Muslim youths. 'Noor is attracted to and influenced by terrorist literature,' the DSP said. 'We have found that he is actively participating in a WhatsApp group run by Jaish-e-Mohammed. In addition, we have found that he is a member of WhatsApp groups related to some other banned terrorist groups. He arranged phone calls and classes for Muslim youths from Pakistani terrorist organizations through WhatsApp calls.' The DSP added that the investigation is ongoing to trace the admins of WhatsApp groups and others involved.
Hans India
9 hours ago
- Hans India
Farmers fall victim to cyber fraud through APK files: CI Jayanna issues warning
Pattikonda (Kurnool): Cybercriminals have launched a new wave of fraud by luring citizens—particularly farmers—into downloading malicious 'APK files' (Android Application Package files). Pattikonda Circle Inspector (CI) Jayanna cautioned that unsuspecting farmers are being cheated through fake links disguised as government schemes, refund updates, and agricultural benefits. Once these files are installed, fraudsters gain full control over the victims' mobile phones, leading to severe financial losses. According to Jayanna, fraudsters are targeting farmers by circulating attractive messages through WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram. Many of these links appear in the name of PM Kisan benefits, urgent document verifications, delivery updates, and digital KYC requests. Believing them to be genuine, some farmers unknowingly download APK files. The malicious apps then seek multiple permissions such as access to SMS, contacts, call logs, storage, and notifications. Granting these allows cybercriminals to steal personal data, bank details, and even OTPs linked to financial transactions. CI Jayanna warned that in several cases, hackers have misused this access to withdraw money from bank accounts and misuse private information. Farmers, online shoppers, the elderly, and students are increasingly becoming soft targets due to limited awareness of such scams. In certain instances, criminals have even accessed phone cameras and microphones to collect private visuals for blackmail. The police appealed to farmers and the public not to download apps from unknown links or share OTPs with strangers. Only applications from the official Play Store should be trusted. Any suspicious apps must be uninstalled immediately. Victims of cyber fraud are advised to dial the cybercrime helpline 1930 or lodge complaints at the nearest police station. CI Jayanna underlined that in today's digital age, 'Alertness is the only shield against cyber theft.'
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Indian Express
London School of Economics graduate among 3 arrested in Delhi cyber-extortion case
Three men, including a 31-year-old graduate of the London School of Economics, were arrested in Delhi on Thursday for allegedly attempting to extort Rs 2 crore from a businessman by using the name of a notorious gangster, the police said. The case began on August 11, when the complainant reported receiving an international WhatsApp call from an unknown number. The caller, identifying himself with the gangster's name, threatened to kill the complainant's children if the money was not paid. A QR code for cryptocurrency transfer was also sent as part of the extortion attempt, the police said. A case under Section 308(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered at the Desh Bandhu Gupta Road police station. The cybercrime unit, working with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre of the Ministry of Home Affairs, traced the call and the QR code. Investigators said the cryptocurrency trail led to Thailand, where the accused had purchased an international SIM card in an effort to disguise their location. 'Simultaneously the field level surveillance team kept a close watch on the suspects' addresses in India. Once the suspects landed back in India, they were immediately apprehended,' said Nidhin Valsan, deputy commissioner of police for the Central district. 'During interrogation, the accused persons revealed that all three of them were heavily debt-ridden, and to pay off their debts in an easy way, they chose this extortion plot. One of the accused, Sumit, who works in the jewellery business, was well acquainted with the complainant and his family. To instil fear, they used the name of a well-known gangster.' The men were identified as Sumit, 42, a commerce graduate from West Punjabi Bagh; Prince, 35, a school dropout from Roshanara Road; and Nitish, 31, a master's degree holder in software management from the London School of Economics who resides in Moti Nagar. Police said they recovered two mobile phones: one used to generate the cryptocurrency QR code and another to place the international WhatsApp call. The police added that the three conspired in India but travelled to Thailand to avoid detection before placing the extortion calls.
