Latest news with #CyberCell
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Cop's fake hospital photo strategy cracks minor's missing case
Nagpur: In a heartwarming display of policing acumen, head constable Deepak More of Hudkeshwar police station reunited a minor girl with her family by making an emotional appeal. He clicked and sent a photo of her mother in hospital, creating a fake drama. The tactic worked as the girl immediately decided to return from Pune, where she went with her boyfriend in mid-July. The girl reportedly eloped with a minor boy, leading to a kidnapping case at Nandgaon Peth police station, Amravati District. After meeting in Nagpur, the minor girl and her friend went to Wardha, Shegaon, Goa, and Bhusawal before reaching Pune in search of odd jobs. The investigation hit a wall as the girl's phone was switched off, and the boy was using her Instagram account to communicate. Faced with delays in obtaining digital information through Cyber Cell, head constable More devised a creative plan. He collaborated with a private hospital, explaining the urgency of the situation. To tug at the girl's emotions, the hospital staff staged a scene with the girl's mother in a hospital bed, appearing seriously ill. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Make-Up Artists Hate How Good These Tricks Look on Older Women Learn More Undo A photograph of this setup was sent to the girl via her Instagram account. The emotional ploy worked perfectly. Overcome with concern, the girl messaged her sister on Instagram, saying, "I am coming back." She returned home safely soon after, bringing the case to a close. More's innovative approach, blending emotional intelligence with police work, ensured the minor's safe return to her family. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Time of India
Tour operator abandons pilgrims during Amarnath trip, held
Jaipur: Fourteen pilgrims who thought they were headed for Amarnath pilgrimage were instead led into a scam after their tour organiser left them stranded mid-journey, endangering their lives. SHO (Shastri Nagar) Mahendra Singh Yadav said that the police arrested Sanjay Singh Naruka, 42, a tour operator who allegedly conned 14 Jaipur residents under the guise of an Amarnath pilgrimage package. The victims, led by complainant Kamal Kumawat of Shastri Nagar, paid Rs 8,500 each to Naruka of "Lucky Tour and Travels" in Subhash Colony. The trip began on July 11 and ended on July 17. But when the group returned, Sanjay was gone. His phone was switched off, and his office was locked. "The pilgrims did not have enough resources to find their way back as the accused promised that everything would be arranged for the trip. Instead, the victims were left stranded in tents and arranged money after much difficulty in an area where the phone network was weak," Yadav said. A case was filed at Shastri Nagar police station on July 22. The investigation team tracked the accused's phone, but he switched it off. However, a Cyber Cell team pulled his IMEI data and zeroed in on a fresh activation. Cops raided his rented hideout in Shiv Shakti Colony, Shastri Nagar. He wasn't there, but their search extended across Jaipur. On Thursday, they finally nabbed him. Naruka, originally from Alwar district, was trying to lie low after pocketing the funds. Police said he had no intention of refunding or responding to any of the travellers.
New Indian Express
31-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Two arrested for duping woman of over Rs 35 lakh
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police arrested two men and claimed to have busted a digital arrest cyber fraud module, an official said on Wednesday. The police arrested Shubham Sharma and Mohit, both residents of Haryana, who were allegedly involved in a months-long extortion racket, said DCP (crime) Aditya Gautam. They impersonated law enforcement officials and tricked a woman into transferring over Rs 35 lakh under the pretext of a fake criminal investigation. Police said the case came to light when a woman approached the Cyber Cell alleging that she had been coerced into paying large sums of money after receiving threatening calls from men posing as police officers. The complainant, a homemaker, was first contacted by a caller introducing himself as SI Prashant Sharma from Mumbai Cyber Crime.
Hindustan Times
29-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
‘Film producer' arrested for providing mule account to Chinese national
PUNE: The Cyber Cell of the Pimpri Chinchwad police arrested a film producer for providing his mule bank accounts to a Chinese cyber criminal for crediting money acquired through cyber frauds. The accused has been identified as Shivam Balkrishna Samvatsarkar from Erandwane. The Cyber Cell of the Pimpri Chinchwad police arrested a film producer for providing his mule bank accounts to a Chinese cyber criminal for crediting money acquired through cyber frauds. The accused has been identified as Shivam Balkrishna Samvatsarkar from Erandwane. (Shutterstock) The police said a complaint was filed on 23 July after the complainant lost more than ₹57 lakh in a share market fraud. The complainant, who is a highly qualified IT professional, was surfing on Youtube when he saw a video on the stock market. When he clicked on the link, he came in contact with an individual, who offered him tips to get good returns on investments. Accordingly, the victim invested and initially, his dashboard showed profits. However, when he tried to withdraw his profits, he was asked to pay various charges first. Realising then that he had been duped, he approached the police. During police investigation, it was revealed that a fraud amount was received in Balaji Enterprises' HDFC bank account. With the help of Deccan police, Pimpri Chinchwad police identified the account holder and arrested him. Pravin Swami, assistant inspector at Cyber Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad, said, 'Initially, the accused did not admit to any crime, saying he was a film producer. Later, he revealed that he and a Chinese person who goes by the name, Bambino, were involved in this case.' Ravikiran Nale, senior inspector, Cyber Police said, 'Total 15 complaints of cyber fraud have been reported against his bank account and till date ₹86,43,119 have been received in his account via various frauds.' Their investigation also revealed that for sharing mule accounts with cyber fraudsters, the accused used to get 10 % commission. For the last six months, the accused shared his bank account details with many Chinese nationals. Police said some of the friends of the accused were involved in mule account-sharing business. They were earning good income without coming under the radar of the police. Hence, the accused also decided to enter the field but got caught by the Pimpri Chinchwad police. A case has been filed at the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Station under sections of 318(4), 316(2) 3(5)of the BNS and sections 66 (c) and 66 (d) of the Information Technology Act.
Hindustan Times
28-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Over 10k SIMs blocked as job, investment frauds rise in Prayagraj
Online investment traps, fake part-time job offers, and Telegram-based fraud networks have emerged as major platforms for cyber crimes in Prayagraj, prompting a year-long crackdown by the district's Cyber Cell. Between July 2024 and June 2025, authorities blocked 10,400 SIM cards, 612 mobile phone IMEI numbers, and 59 mule bank accounts allegedly linked to these digital scams, officials said on Monday. 10,400 SIM blocked, 612 IEMI blocked in past one year (Sourced) Many of the SIM cards were issued using fake identities and were reportedly used by interstate and international gangs to lure victims with promises of high profits and quick earnings. The fraudsters often guided users to join Telegram channels under the pretext of giving free tips on stock markets, remote jobs, or financial investment advice, police said. According to deputy commissioner of police (Trans Ganga) and nodal officer for cyber operations, Kuldeep Singh Gunawat, these networks were found to be operating from countries including Nepal, Pakistan, China, Dubai, and Myanmar. Funds from victims were often diverted through multiple accounts within minutes, making the fraud difficult to trace. To counter the growing cyber threat, the district has set up five-member Cyber Units at each of the 43 police stations. These units include a sub-inspector, a head constable, a constable, a lady constable, and a computer operator. Gunawat said the most reported tactics used by fraudsters include share market scams, job frauds in other states, and mobile app-based schemes. Victims are typically enticed with offers of easy income, and later manipulated into transferring money under various pretexts. Cyber officials have also issued an advisory urging users to avoid clicking on unknown APK links or messages on WhatsApp and Telegram, and to immediately block SIM cards, bank accounts, and payment cards if their mobile phones are lost. Citizens have also been warned against responding to video calls from unknown numbers and sharing OTPs with anyone. Cyber cell in-charge Ghanshyam Yadav said nearly a dozen complaints related to digital arrest threats and Bitcoin-based frauds have been registered. He added that cyber gangs were using API apps to gain unauthorised access to OTPs sent to Indian SIMs, posing new challenges for investigators.
