Lucknow: Police have made their first arrest in 34 cases of cyber fraud in which criminals allegedly posed as employees of Green Gas Ltd and tricked consumers into installing malicious APK files to siphon money from their bank accounts.
Lucknow police arrested a 45-year-old woman, identified as Saloni Kumari, from Mumbai for allegedly duping a man of Rs 23.5 lakh. Officers recovered Rs 1.08 lakh cash and a mobile phone from her possession and are working to trace the broader network and the movement of the proceeds of crime. To complete the process, they were persuaded to download an APK file and make a small payment, generally around Rs 10.
Police said Kumari, a Class XII pass-out, was apprehended by cybercrime police under Operation CYVAJRA, the Uttar Pradesh Police’s statewide drive against cybercriminals. Investigators said the members of the gang targeted Green Gas Ltd consumers by posing as company representatives through WhatsApp messages and phone calls. They were told that their gas connection details or bill information required an urgent update.
Her associates remain at large.
The arrest was made after a senior citizen in Lucknow lodged a report claiming that he lost Rs 23.5 lakh in a cyber fraud. She allegedly offered acquaintances a 10% commission for allowing her to pay their credit card bills, according to officers. People may contact the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or report incidents at cybercrime.gov.in.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in Lucknow Stay updated with the latest Lucknow news.
The APK file was designed to capture sensitive banking information, according to police. After the bills were paid, the cardholders would hand over an equivalent amount in cash, which was then deposited into accounts specified by the gang, police said. Officials said they have obtained CCTV footage that shows Kumari visiting a shop and facilitating one such credit card payment transaction.
Once a person entered debit card details and other credentials, the fraudsters gained access to financial data and one time passwords, enabling unauthorised withdrawals and transfers from accounts. During the investigation, officers analysed mobile numbers, bank accounts and transaction trails. Technical assistance from telecom operators and banks helped investigators track leads to Mumbai, where Kumari was located and taken into custody. Police suspect Kumari had been associated with the cyber fraud network for nearly five years. Investigators claimed her role extended beyond receiving proceeds and included helping route money through a mechanism involving credit card bill payments. She would collect credit card details and pass them to other gang members. Funds siphoned from bank accounts were used to clear those credit card dues through online platforms. The footage is being examined as part of the investigation. Police also suspect the gang had access to Green Gas consumer data, which enabled them to make convincing calls and messages. Police advised residents not to download APK files received via WhatsApp or other platforms and to verify bill-related communication directly with service providers. Download the TOI App.