Cyberabad Police arrest key accused in ₹77 lakh fraud
HYDERABAD: Cyberabad Cyber Crime Police have arrested the key accused in an interstate cybercrime racket that allegedly cheated a businessman of more than ₹77 lakh by posing as bank officials. Police recovered ₹7 lakh in cash from the accused’s residence.
Fraud executed through fake bank communication
According to police, Salim Mandal, a resident of Panditapur village in West Bengal, allegedly contacted Hyderabad-based businessman Vijay Kumar and introduced himself as an official from the Citibank Prestige Credit Card division. The accused later sent a mobile phone to the victim through a courier service.
Police said that when Vijay Kumar inserted a SIM card into the device, all one-time passwords (OTPs) and bank-related messages were diverted to the accused and his associates.
Funds siphoned from victim’s accounts
Using the diverted banking credentials, the gang allegedly withdrew ₹77.75 lakh from the victim’s bank accounts.
A case was registered and an inquiry was launched by Cyberabad Cyber Crime Police. During the investigation, police earlier arrested Abdul Aleem, Syed Hameem, Bansidhar, Rehman Sheikh and Mehboob Alam Ansari. They also recovered ₹15 lakh from the accused.
Main accused brought from West Bengal
Police said Salim Mandal, 30, the alleged mastermind of the racket, was recently brought to Hyderabad from West Bengal on a transit warrant and formally arrested. A cash amount of ₹7 lakh was seized from his residence.
