Cyber fraud Archives - The Cyber Shark

Tea stall owner loses Rs 2.36 lakh in UPI fraud; cyber police nab accused in North-East Delhi

Cyber Police arrest a 21-year-old in North-East Delhi for exploiting a lost SIM card to drain the victim’s bank account via UPI. After his SIM card vanished, a tea shop owner in Seelampur, New Delhi, lost ₹2.36 lakh in a UPI scam. On June 19, a 21-year-old suspect was taken into custody by the North-East District Cyber Police of Delhi, who also retrieved important evidence, such as SIM cards and a cell phone used in the scam. On June 4, days after discovering unauthorised UPI transactions from his wife’s bank account, the victim, Gareeb Nath Gupta, reported the crime. His Samsung keypad phone with an active SIM card vanished on May 27. Fraudulent transactions were conducted using the lost SIM between May 28 and June 2. To link the activity to an Airtel Payments Bank account, a special cybercrime unit under the direction of Inspector Rahul Kumar and overseen by ACP Mangesh Gedam employed digital forensics and technical surveillance. The culprit, Md. Monish, a mobile phone repairer from Delhi’s Janta Mazdoor Colony, acknowledged buying stolen phones with SIM cards still in working order. He transferred money using UPI apps and accessed connected bank accounts using them. One cell phone and two SIM cards have been found by the police, and ₹35,000 has been frozen. They are now investigating a wider network, possibly involved in similar cybercrimes. Quote: “This case shows how even basic phone users are vulnerable. People must immediately block SIM cards if lost and monitor bank accounts closely,” said an official from Cyber PS, North-East Delhi. Advice: The instance demonstrates how low-tech thefts, such as lost phones, can be taken advantage of online, particularly with SIM cards connected to UPI. It also demonstrates how cybercriminals target non-technical individuals as well. Cyber Safety Tips: If your SIM card is lost or stolen, block it right away. Make sure all UPI and banking apps have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled. Don’t store bank account information or UPI credentials on outdated or unprotected phones. Observe bank statements regularly and report any questionable activity on cybercrime.gov.in.

Mumbai News: Man Arrested In ₹67 Lakh Cyber Fraud Targeting Elderly Sisters; Hunt on for Mastermind

Mumbai Police arrested Mohit Bhojraj in a ₹67 lakh cyber fraud case targeting two elderly sisters, with the mastermind Salid Mohammed Shaikh still at large. The victims were lured through a fake investment scheme on WhatsApp, promising high returns. A man from Dahisar has been taken into custody by the Mumbai Police’s South Cyber Cell about a ₹67 lakh cyber scam involving two elderly sisters. Mohit Akash Bhojraj has been recognised as the offender who was apprehended. Officials claim that Mohit maintained continuous communication with Salid Mohammed Shaikh, a well-known cyber fraudster who lives in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and is currently a sought-after suspect in the investigation. According to investigations, Mohit gave Shaikh access to 19 bank accounts, which were purportedly used to embezzle the stolen money. The cyber cell’s investigation to find the fugitive mastermind and follow the cash trail is still ongoing. The complaint claims that after investing in a financing company, the victims, two sisters living in Girgaon with their mother, were joined to a WhatsApp group in January 2025. A lady named Shruti Baheti ran the organisation and frequently shared information about profitable investment possibilities. Shruti posted conversation logs and screenshots purporting to show off earnings from prior investments in an attempt to win members’ trust. With the promise of large returns, Shruti persuaded one of the sisters to participate in a “block share deal” via direct messaging on January 21. The woman made a sizable investment after opening an account with the finance company. Following the first profits, her sister joined the organisation and invested as well. The sisters contributed a total of 67.15 lakh rupees. Their investment portfolio was reported to have increased to ₹1.88 crore shortly after. However, the transaction failed when they tried to withdraw ₹50 lakh. When asked, Shruti stated that before the money could be released, a tax payment was necessary. The sisters realized they had been duped at that point and filed a formal complaint. Mohit Bhojraj has been taken into custody by the cyber cell, which is also actively pursuing the other defendants, including the mastermind Salid Mohammed Shaikh. Investigations are still under progress.

Cyber fraud awareness is raised by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB)

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) conducted 325 awareness sessions across the state to educate citizens on rising cyber fraud trends. Warnings were issued about fake shopping sites, online task scams, and illegal betting apps, urging victims to report cases via WhatsApp at 8712672222. Hyderabad: The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) organized a massive State-Wide awareness campaign with 325 sessions held across colleges, medical facilities, private offices, public gathering places, and bus stands to inform citizens about new trends in cybercrime and provide them with preventive measures. A component of Cyber Jagrukta Diwas was this. People were alerted to the existence of fake Instagram sites that use stolen photos to look authentic while showcasing sarees and other apparel. These websites take UPI and e-wallet payments and provide substantial discounts to entice customers. However, either poor quality things are sent, or no products are sent at all. The majority of these pages don’t display any validated company credentials or provide refund choices. Scammers also use offers of easy online chores, like liking videos, to target people. To earn the victim’s trust, they first offer little rewards. Later, they use promises of greater returns to persuade the victims to make larger investments. The scammers vanish after the money is sent, leaving the victims with losses. Fake websites posing as legitimate booking portals for FASTags or license plates were the subject of another alert. These websites gather private and auto data, impose deceptive fees, and never provide the services that are advertised. They also provide fictitious documents in certain cases to give the swindle the appearance of legitimacy. Additionally noted were online betting apps, which are prohibited in Telangana by the Telangana Gaming Act of 2017. These apps encourage money addiction and are frequently run from overseas. Influencers and websites that support or advertise these unlawful betting services are being severely targeted by authorities. Reporting via WhatsApp at 8712672222 is recommended for citizens who are the victims of such scams or who have information.

Police Say Former Odisha IT Minister Loses Rs 1.4 Crore to Cybercriminals

Former Odisha IT Minister and MLA Tusharkanti Behera lost Rs 1.4 crore to cyber fraud, allegedly through a friend’s misuse of his trading account. Police have arrested seven suspects and frozen Rs 15 lakh while continuing the investigation. Bhubaneswar: On March 31, 2025, a top police officer here stated that an Odisha IT Minister A and former information technology minister had lost Rs 1.4 due to cyber fraud in around a month and a half.In relation to the crime, seven people were taken into custody by the police: three from Tamil Nadu and four from Karnataka. But in January, the former minister filed a police complaint in this respect, alleging that a buddy had been using his trading account and misappropriated the funds. Odisha IT Minister to say the police officer claimed that the accused and their colleagues used to pretend to be trade analysts in order to get individuals to invest money in shares, IPOs, and other trades by promising them large profits. Between November 13, 2024, and January 1, 2025, the accused obtained Rs 1.40 crore fraudulently from the complainant, according to the Crime Branch’s cybercrime unit, which conducted the inquiry, he added. Sarthak Sarangi, the IG for the Crime Branch, stated during a news conference that on January 13 of this year, “we received a complaint that cyber fraudsters swindled Rs 1.4 crore from the complainant through a mobile app.” He did not, however, identify the complainant because he believed it would interfere with the inquiry. The complainant, according to police sources, is an IIT graduate, a current Odisha IT Minister , and a former minister of information technology. However, former IT minister and BJD Odisha IT Minister Tusharkanti Behera told reporters: “My friend used my trading account and lost the money to cyber fraud.” I don’t know anything about the fraud directly. According to Sarangi, bank accounts in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, and Maharashtra have received the funds. Seven people were taken into custody by crime branch teams that were dispatched to Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala during the first phase. “Very soon we will send our teams to Hyderabad, West Bengal and Delhi to arrest other accused persons in this case,” the officer said. According to him, the Crime Branch has frozen Rs 15 lakh in the accused individuals’ bank accounts and recovered Rs 4 lakh from them thus far.According to Sarangi, a Navy commander and a university vice-chancellor were lately the targets of cyber fraud.

Crackdown on digital fraud by the Indian government: What to anticipate soon

India is ramping up digital security by blocking millions of fraudulent SIM cards and accounts while implementing AI-driven measures to combat cybercrime. With cyber fraud on the rise, the Indian government has been intensifying its efforts to safeguard digital security. Over the past few months, they have reportedly blocked more than 7.8 lakh SIM cards, 83,000+ WhatsApp accounts, and 3,000+ Skype IDs. The government has also taken a firm stand against online threats. But what does this mean for the future of India’s cybersecurity? Government’s crackdown on digital fraud Sanjay Kumar, Minister of State for Home Bundi of the Union, has recientemente revealed in the Lok Sabha que India has imposed stringent medidas against ciberdelincuentes. In addition to outlawing fake SIM cards, the government has deactivated 2,08,469 IMEI numbers, which is a crucial step in preventing misuse of devices that have been damaged or obtained illegally. Tighter regulations on messaging and video platforms Currently, authorities focus on messaging and video chatting apps, which are frequently used for fraudulent purposes. Already, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has detected and blocked: 3,962 Skype IDs 83,668 WhatsApp accounts This action suggests that stricter regulations may be implemented in digital fraud communication networks to reduce abuse. I4C and the Future of Cybercrime Prevention I4C, which was established in 2021, has played a crucial role in preventing financial fraud. It has already contribution a salvaguardar Rs 4,389 crore on possible presides de mas de 13.36 lakh reclamations. As cryptocurrency develops, more cryptocurrency monetization systems driven by artificial intelligence and time after quick responses to digital fraud crimes are anticipated. What’s Next? AI-powered cybersecurity measures It is anticipated that the government will use AI-powered monitoring technologies to quickly identify questionable activity. Future initiatives may include: Automated fraud detectors for telecommunications services financier’s Mas strictest medias KYC (Know Your Customer) para la emission de SIM cards Citizen-centric cybersecurity In initiatives To enable a person to report and monitor cases of cyber fraud, the government has implemented: 1930’s National Cyber Helpline for prompt fraud reporting Sanchar Saathi Portal and app that enables users to block stolen devices and report fake calls India is moving closer to a more secure digital fraud future by putting these measures into place, which will give its citizens more protection against cyberattacks.

Businessman from Hyderabad loses Rs 1.22 crores to online scammers.

Hyderabad businessman was scammed of Rs 1.22 crores through a fake online trading scheme. Police arrested Ankit Arora, while the main accused, Deepak Kumar, remains at large. Hyderabad: After being tricked into investing in an internet trading company that promised enormous earnings, a Hyderabad businessman lost Rs 1.22 crores to cyber criminals. The victim, a resident of Secunderabad, received a message on Telegram ID Doll6726@Navyaand from a stranger who lured him to invest in online trading over time. He assured me that the profits would be huge and asked him to download an application on his mobile phone. Initially, the person invested some amount for investment and in return received some profits on the investment. After businessman being mesmerized by the profits, the man sent Rs 1, 22, 87,120 to the account that the stranger, who claimed to be Deepak Kumar, had provided. After a few weeks, Deepak failed to withdraw the winnings from the victim’s wallet and asked him to transfer more money. He became suspicious and filed a report with the police. Based on the evidence they gathered, police were able to hold on to Ankit Arora, a 38-year-old native of Uttar Pradesh who had provided Deepak Kumar with his bank account credentials. Under the guise of internet trading, Deepak was able to defraud a Hyderabad man out of Rs 1, 22, 87,120 using the bank account details. Ankit Arora’s bank account received the money from the victim, and Deepak subsequently moved it to other accounts. Cybercrime police officials claimed that Deepak had given Ankit a commission. After learning that Deepak operates out of Thailand, the police will issue a Look Out Circular (LoC) for him.

Private bank employee among two held in Rs 4.97 crore cyber fraud case in Gurugram

“Gurugram Police Detain Two, Including IndusInd Bank Manager, in Rs 4.97 Crore Cyber Fraud; 27 Bank Employees Arrested in Related Cases” In a case involving a Rs 4.97 crore cyber fraud, the Gurugram police have detained two individuals, one of whom is the business development manager of the Delhi branch of IndusInd Bank. Profitable stock market returns were guaranteed by the accused. The bank employee who was arrested was accused of helping cybercriminals obtain bank accounts. In several cyber fraud cases, the Gurugram police have so far detained 27 bank personnel. According to the police, a case was filed at the Cyber Crime East police station under the appropriate sections after a report about a Rs 4.97 crore cyber fraud was received on November 30 of last year. Avinash Sharma, a resident of Delhi’s Rani Bagh, and Aditya Chaturvedi, an Uttar Pradesh native, were taken into custody by a squad of cyber police as they were looking into the issue. Aditya has spent the previous two years at Delhi’s IndusInd Bank as a business development manager. The police investigation found that the fraud was committed using Avinash’s bank account. Aditya had received Rs 25,000 from Avinash for the bank account. While Aditya was employed at the bank, he met someone else who had tricked him into giving Rs 50,000 for a current account and Rs 10,000 for a savings bank account with Rs 4.97 crore cyber fraud. Aditya would then provide Avinash access to the bank account information. The same bank account, which belongs to Avinash Sharma, has been the subject of 12 complaints in the states of Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Assam, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir. “We are interrogating the defendant,” Priyanshu Dewan, ACP (Cyber), stated. However, the cyber police detained someone for giving a bank account to a man who was engaged in cybercrime. Raju, a resident of Rajasthan’s Kedar Colony in Ganganagar, has been identified as the accused.

Cyber fraud cost Haryana residents Rs 72.84 crore in January, according to police.

In their guidance on coping with various frauds, including “digital arrests,” the Haryana police state that the first six hours are critical if one becomes a victim of cyber fraud. According to the police, Haryana residents lost Rs 72.84 crore to cyber fruad theft in January this year. This is Rs 14 crore less than the Rs 86.18 crore cybercriminals stole from individuals in January 2024. The police say their awareness campaigns were responsible for the 433 extra cybercriminals they detained in January this year compared to January 2024. The Haryana Police’s prompt action has also resulted in a large increase in the money saved from cybercriminals in January 2025 compared to January 2024. The Haryana Police took tough measures against cyber fruad criminals, and in January 2025, they apprehended four times as many offenders. 571 offenders have been apprehended this year (130 from Haryana and 441 from other states), compared to 138 cybercriminals who were detained in January 2024, DGP Shatrujeet Kapur said in a statement. Issuing an appeal to the public, DGP Kapur said, “In this era of technology, most people are active on online platforms. If anyone calls and introduces themselves as an officer of the CBI, ED, or police and talks about the digital arrest, be immediately alert because no investigating agency does this kind of thing. People should not fall into the trap of fake share trading being broadcast on social media platforms. Before investing, be sure to officially confirm the company and website. “Additionally, people should not answer WhatsApp video and audio calls coming from abroad, especially from Cambodia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc. They should be cautious of fake advertisements appearing on Telegram and Google. The Haryana Police is continuously running awareness campaigns on print and social media to educate the public about the methods adopted by cybercriminals. The only way to avoid cybercrime is through caution and vigilance, so people should be vigilant and contact helpline number 1930 immediately if there is any apprehension of cybercrime.” “The Haryana Police, which was at the 23rd position in the country in September 2023 in terms of the rate of blocked amounts in cyber fraud, has now reached the first position. The rate of blocked amounts in cyber fraud and the recovery being done by the cyber police stations, which was seven per cent of the defrauded amount in September 2023, increased to 36 per cent in December 2024, the highest in the country. If a complainant files a complaint within six hours of cyber fraud, up to 70 per cent of the defrauded amount is blocked. It is the highest success rate in the entire country,” DGP Kapur further said in the statement. Union Home Minister Amit Shah honoured the police on September 10, 2024, for efficiently implementing the cyber fruad helpline 1930. Amount saved from cyber fraud 2023 – Rs 76.85 crore 2024 – Rs 268.40 crore FIRs registered against cyber fraud 2023 – 2747 2024 – 5511 Cyber scammers arrested 2022 – 1078 2023 – 1909 2024 – 5156 Out of 5,156 cyber scammers arrested in 2024, 70% (3,555 accused) were residents of other states. The total number of arrests also averaged 14 per day in 2024. The defrauded amount was refunded to the victims 2023 – Rs 33 crore 2024 – Rs 95.45 crore

Cyber fraud