Who are the 18 cyber crooks arrested in the SBI credit card scam?
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Synopsis
In a significant breakthrough, eighteen individuals linked to a vast cybercrime syndicate were arrested for defrauding SBI credit card holders. This operation, which exploited sensitive customer data, highlights the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in financial institutions.
Key Takeaways
- Eighteen cyber criminals apprehended in a major fraud case.
- Multi-crore scheme targeted SBI credit card holders.
- Criminals impersonated customer service representatives.
- Significant financial losses estimated at Rs 2.6 crore.
- Call center employees involved in leaking sensitive data.
New Delhi, Aug 16 (NationPress) Eighteen cyber criminals, including individuals working at call centers in Delhi and Gurugram, were apprehended for orchestrating a multi-crore rupee nationwide financial fraud scheme that specifically targeted SBI credit card holders, exploiting their private information, according to a statement from an official of Delhi Police’s Special Cell on Saturday.
The primary architects of this syndicate were pinpointed as Ankit Rathi, Waseem, and Vishal Bhardwaj, who were allegedly the brains behind the operation, strategists, and financial handlers within this white-collar crime network, as stated by Vinit Kumar, DCP of the Special Cell’s Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations (IFSO) Unit.
The fraudulent activities spanned multiple states, leading to significant financial losses estimated at a minimum of Rs 2.6 crore, he added.
This major arrest paves the way for a proactive approach to dismantling cybercrime syndicates, remarked DCP Vinit Kumar.
The investigation revealed that during a six-month operation, authorities recovered 52 mobile devices, numerous SIM cards, and sensitive banking information from victims, which led to the arrests of several data thieves and cryptocurrency converters operating from a call center located in the Dwarka area of South West Delhi.
Among those arrested were Vishesh Lahori alias Paji and Durgesh Dhakad, both of whom were insiders at the call center and acted as data brokers by leaking sensitive information from Teleperformance in Gurugram.
The syndicate was accused of conducting widespread fraudulent operations aimed at State Bank of India (SBI) credit card holders throughout the nation, according to DCP.
Members of the gang impersonated SBI customer service representatives to deceitfully acquire One-Time Passwords (OTPs) and Card Verification Values (CVV) from unsuspecting victims, as per police reports.
These details were then utilized to purchase electronic gift cards from travel booking websites, which were later exchanged for domestic flight tickets, mentioned DCP Vinit Kumar.
The execution of phishing calls and victim targeting was handled by gang members identified as Rahul Vishwakarma, Pawan Bisht, Kailash Purohit alias Kabir, Himanshu Chugh alias Babu, Ravin Saini, and others, according to police sources.
The financial activities of the gang, which involved converting illicit gains into cryptocurrency or cash, were managed by Akhilesh Lakhotia and Harsh Chauhan.
Additionally, the syndicate received multiple SIM cards from Shivam Sehrawat, who is also in custody, as reported by the police.
The investigation further revealed that employees from a Gurugram call center had been leaking sensitive data.
“Employees working at Teleperformance, a prominent call center, had been systematically breaching company data since 2019. This disturbing incident not only highlights the company’s failure to protect confidential information but also raises serious concerns regarding the effectiveness of its security measures and monitoring systems,” stated an official.
Considering that Teleperformance manages critical data for major Indian banks, this breach poses a significant financial threat and marks the company as a notable source of data leaks that contribute to cyber financial fraud, he added.
Point of View
It is essential to recognize the growing threat posed by cybercrime. The arrest of these eighteen individuals sheds light on a systemic issue within our financial institutions. It is crucial for organizations to adopt robust security protocols to safeguard sensitive information and protect consumers from such fraudulent activities.
NationPress
06/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the nature of the cybercrime committed?
The cybercriminals were involved in a scheme targeting SBI credit card holders, where they misused customer data to commit fraud totaling approximately Rs 2.6 crore.
How were the criminals able to obtain sensitive information?
The syndicate impersonated SBI customer care executives to deceitfully acquire One-Time Passwords (OTPs) and Card Verification Values (CVV) from victims.
What actions were taken by the police?
The police conducted a six-month operation leading to the arrest of eighteen individuals and the recovery of numerous mobile phones, SIM cards, and sensitive banking information.
What role did call center employees play in the scam?
Employees from a call center in Gurugram were identified as data brokers who leaked sensitive customer information to facilitate the fraud.
What does this incident reveal about data security?
This incident highlights the critical need for financial institutions to enhance their data security measures and protect customer information from potential breaches.
