How Did Kolkata Police Uncover a Cyber Fraud Operation?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kolkata Police effectively dismantled a cyber fraud racket.
- Five individuals were arrested for creating malicious APK files.
- Unauthorized access to victims' banking applications was reported.
- Authorities seized multiple electronic devices during the raid.
- Ongoing investigations aim to uncover more associates in the conspiracy.
Kolkata, Jan 24 (NationPress) The Cyber Crime Branch of Kolkata Police successfully dismantled a cyber fraud operation over the weekend, apprehending four individuals from Bihar and one from Maharashtra linked to various cyber offenses. The arrests came after a well-coordinated raid in the Maheshtala neighborhood near Kolkata.
Based on reliable intelligence, a raid was executed within the jurisdiction of the Maheshtala Police Station in the South 24 Parganas district on Saturday morning, leading to the apprehension of these individuals.
The suspects have been identified as Abhimanyu Kumar alias Raja Kumar (22), Md. Samar (20), Niraj Kumar (28), and Md. Imran (19), all hailing from Aurangabad in Bihar. The fifth suspect, Cezane Philips (22), is from Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
During the operation, authorities confiscated 10 laptops, 24 Android smartphones, two routers, and incriminating screenshots.
The police revealed that the suspects were involved in crafting and distributing malicious APK files, which were sent to victims' mobile devices via ads and links shared on various social media platforms.
Upon installation of these APK files, the criminals gained unauthorized remote access to the victims' devices, compromising banking and financial applications installed on them.
By exploiting this illicit access, the accused siphoned funds from the victims' bank accounts and transferred them to accounts of their choosing. Ongoing investigations indicate that these five individuals are associates of previously arrested culprits and were collaborating as part of an organized criminal conspiracy.
"They will be presented in court later today. The police will request their custody for further investigation to uncover additional accomplices involved in this organized crime," stated a senior Kolkata Police officer.