The accused were apprehended in Bangalore and brought to Hyderabad for their involvement in a complex digital scam.
The Cyber Crime Police Station (Headquarters) of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) today arrested two individuals involved in a digital fraud amounting to Rs 10.61 crore.
The accused were apprehended in Bengaluru and brought to Hyderabad for their involvement in a complex digital scam.
On September 10, 2024, a Hyderabad resident filed a complaint mentioning that he had been contacted by eight individuals posing as Mumbai police officers. They falsely claimed that a bank account had been opened using his Aadhaar and PAN cards, and that it was implicated in money-laundering activities. The scammers even sent fake letters from the Directorate of Enforcement and the Income Tax department demanding the victim's financial details, including properties, deposits, shares, salary and more.
They claimed that the victim was facing legal action and could face 3 to 7 years of imprisonment. Under the pretense of conducting an investigation, they coerced the victim into cooperating with them via online interactions and video calls. Misled into believing that he was complying with law enforcement, the victim transferred a total of Rs 10.61 crore into accounts controlled by the fraudsters.
The accused were identified as Vinay Kumar S Khadke, 23, and Maruthi G H, 28, both from Bengaluru, Karnataka. They were joint account holders of a current account under Tinkan Technologies Pvt Ltd, into which Rs 4.62 crore was transferred from the victim's account.
The police also seized two mobile phones used in the crime.
The modus operandi of the fraudsters was to identify and exploit financially vulnerable individuals. They would impersonate law enforcement officials, falsely claiming that the victim's bank account was involved in money laundering. They would also manipulate the victim into believing that an official investigation was underway, intimidating him into transferring funds. The scammers also used mule account holders to further facilitate their fraudulent activities, making the operation appear legitimate.
In this case, the two accused opened a current account with HDFC Bank in the name of Tinkan Technologies Pvt Ltd, under the instruction of a third party who promised them commissions.
The investigation continues to trace the broader network involved in this fraud.
The police urge the public to remain vigilant and safeguard their personal and financial information, and never to share their bank account details with anyone, whether known or unknown. No legitimate police investigation will be conducted solely over the phone or online, they emphasize. If you suspect any fraudulent activity, please report it immediately through the TGCSB helpline at 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in.