Fake challans, pension apps: Cops arrest BTech dropout linked to Rs 150 crore fraud
Mumbai Police have arrested a 36-year-old BTech dropout from Indore who allegedly created and sold malicious Android apps to cybercriminals across India, with fraud linked to those apps estimated at over Rs 150 crore.
The Crime Branchβs Property Cell traced the accused while investigating a case in which a senior citizen in Byculla lost Rs 5.62 lakh after allegedly being persuaded to install a malicious app. The case was registered on August 13.
Police said the accused acted as a technical service provider, supplying apps that fraudsters used to target senior citizens and other victims.FAKE VERIFICATION APPS USED TO TARGET VICTIMS
The accused allegedly created 2,805 APK files disguised as services such as pension card verification, life certificates, senior citizen cards, traffic challans and credit card updates.
An APK file is used to install an app on an Android phone. In these cases, police said, the files contained malicious apps used to facilitate financial fraud.
Fraudsters contacted victims through calls and messages, offering to arrange cards or asking them to complete a verification. They then persuaded victims to install the apps.
The accused had also rented server space to support the operation, police said.POLICE TRACE NETWORK OF BUYERS
According to investigators, the accused initially offered app and website development services. After receiving a call from a cybercriminal, he allegedly introduced himself as an APK developer and offered his services.
He subsequently came into contact with fraudsters across the country and began selling them malicious apps, police said.
Investigators estimate that fraud committed using his apps exceeds Rs 150 crore, though the amount could rise as more cases are identified. The figure represents losses allegedly linked to the apps, rather than money earned by the accused.
Police are questioning him to identify buyers and establish the extent of the network.- Ends
Divyesh Singh is one of the leading crime journalists in the country. A seasoned investigative journalist with experience of over 15 years in journalism covering Crime, Internal security, Defence, Central Agencies, and Rural issues, he has a number of exclusive breaks and investigative stories to his name. Presently working with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Aajtak / India Today based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Some of his stories to recall are 'Confessions of members from radical organisation in a bomb blast case in which they had been acquitted, Fodder scam in drought affected areas of Maharashtra, Crypto currency scam worth hundreds of crores ,Financial scam targeting US citizens, Black-marketing of life saving Covid19 drugs'. Many such investigations have been appreciated by law enforcement agencies and he has been awarded and appreciated twice by the Maharashtra police for helping the agency crack two serious cases, one a financial scam worth crores and another a double murder case. His coverage in the actor Sushant Singh Rajput death case brought to light the facts in the case, while reported a series of exclusives in the Yes Bank DHFL case and Iqbal Mirchi case on India Today / Aajtak. His coverage on crime underworld and narcotics has been extensive and indepth.
