Hello Mumbai City Desk
Mumbai: The DB Marg Police of Mumbai have arrested the alleged mastermind of an interstate cyber fraud syndicate that duped thousands of people across India by using a fake APK file in the name of Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL).
According to the police, the accused sent fraudulent messages posing as MGL and tricked users into downloading a malicious APK file onto their mobile phones. Once installed, the fake application allegedly stole confidential mobile banking information, enabling the gang to withdraw money from victims’ bank accounts.
Investigators revealed that the cyber fraud network targeted people across the country through phishing messages and fake MGL notifications. Preliminary findings indicate that 5,912 people fell victim to the scam, with the total financial loss estimated at approximately ₹63.69 crore.
The main accused, a 26-year-old student from Jharkhand, has been taken into custody. Police believe he played a key role in operating the cybercrime network and are now investigating the involvement of other members of the interstate syndicate.
Mumbai Police have urged citizens not to download APK files received through SMS, WhatsApp, or other unknown sources. Officials also advised users to install applications only from trusted platforms such as the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and to verify the authenticity of any message claiming to be from banks or utility service providers.
During the operation, police recovered 10 mobile phones, one laptop, 17 credit and debit cards, 167 fake APK files, and a confidential banking database containing sensitive information of nearly 17,400 individuals from the accused.
While addressing the Media persons Raga Sudha R Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone 2, Confirmed, the accused circulated
malicious APK files to victims’ mobile phones, enabling the theft of confidential banking credentials and facilitating financial fraud. A case was registered at DB Marg Police Station under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
The investigation further revealed that the accused allegedly developed and sold fake APK files to other cybercriminals, who used them to target victims across Mumbai, Maharashtra, and other parts of the country.”
” Police estimate that 2,993 people were defrauded, with the total financial loss amounting to approximately ₹63.69 crore (₹63,69,58,173) our investigation is underway. Said Raga Sudha R Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone 2.
Police said the investigation is continuing, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest other members of the interstate cybercrime syndicate.
