by Ashis Sinha
Ranchi: In a major breakthrough, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Ranchi, Jharkhand, has successfully apprehended a notorious cyber-criminal linked to two significant cases of ‘Digital Arrest’. The arrests, documented under case numbers 145/24 dated May 29, 2024, and 161/24 dated June 19, 2024, highlight the sophisticated operations of cybercrime networks.
Cops arrested Pankaj Kumar, aged 39 a resident of Sonpur district, Bihar; identified as the mastermind. He operated under the guise of his firm, Dikship Enterprises, and collaborated with international criminal syndicates via associates in Surat, Gujarat, and Patna, Bihar.
During the arrest, authorities seized mobile phones and SIM cards crucial to the crime, along with WhatsApp chat histories related to the exchange of corporate internet banking credentials, informed the officials.
According to the CID officials, in both of the cases, victims were threatened via WhatsApp by individuals posing as representatives from FedEx Courier Service, Mumbai Branch.
They were informed about a fabricated case registered at the Mumbai Crime Branch related to objectionable items allegedly found in a courier registered using their Aadhaar card and mobile numbers.
The victims were then placed under surveillance and subjected to digital arrests at their homes, being coerced to deposit money into various bank accounts to settle the fictitious case. In this manner, the victim of case 161/24 was duped of Rs. 1.78 crores, while the victim of case 145/24 was defrauded of Rs. 11 lakhs.
The arrested individual collaborated with international accomplices based in China through his associates based in Surat, Gujarat, and Patna, Bihar. He opened a Private Limited Company against which Corporate Bank accounts were opened in HDFC, ICICI, AXIS, and IndusInd Bank.
Mastermind Identified
Pankaj Kumar, a 39-year-old resident of Sonpur district, Bihar, has been identified as the mastermind behind the scams. Operating under the guise of his firm, Dikship Enterprises, Kumar collaborated with international criminal syndicates through associates in Surat, Gujarat, and Patna, Bihar.
During his arrest, authorities seized mobile phones and SIM cards crucial to the crime, along with WhatsApp chat histories related to the exchange of corporate internet banking credentials.
Modus Operandi
The CID revealed that in both cases, victims were contacted via WhatsApp by individuals posing as representatives from FedEx Courier Service, Mumbai Branch. They were informed of a fabricated case registered at the Mumbai Crime Branch involving objectionable items allegedly found in a courier registered using their Aadhaar card and mobile numbers. The victims were then coerced into depositing money into various bank accounts to settle the fictitious case.
Case 161/24: The victim was defrauded of Rs. 1.78 crores.
Case 145/24: The victim was defrauded of Rs. 11 lakhs.
Kumar’s network involved international accomplices based in China and local associates in Surat and Patna. They opened corporate bank accounts under a Private Ltd. Company in multiple banks including HDFC, ICICI, AXIS, and INDUSIND Bank.
Detailed Fraud Operation
Initial Contact via WhatsApp: Victims were first contacted by someone impersonating a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India officer, falsely claiming illegal activities linked to their mobile numbers.
Threatening Calls: Subsequently, victims received calls from individuals posing as Indian Police Service (IPS) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers, threatening legal action unless money was deposited into specified bank accounts.
Extorted Payments: Under duress and threat of arrest, victims deposited money into multiple bank accounts over a span of 12 days as instructed by the scammers.
Following the arrests, CID has issued a public advisory to prevent further incidents of cybercrime. Citizens are urged not to trust WhatsApp or Skype calls from individuals impersonating government officials. The advisory includes the following key points:
- Always verify contact details from official government websites.
- Refrain from sharing personal financial information with unknown individuals without proper verification.
- Report any suspicious cyber activities to the authorities promptly.
- Use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or contact 1930 to report cybercrimes.
This arrest underscores the importance of vigilance against cyber fraud and highlights the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat such criminal activities.
What is “Digital House Arrest”
‘Digital House Arrest’ is a scam where cybercriminals trap victims in their homes to defraud them. The perpetrators use audio or video calls, often impersonating law enforcement officials with may be AI-generated voices or videos, to instill fear.
They falsely accuse the victims of offenses related to their Aadhaar or phone numbers, creating a sense of imminent arrest to force money transfers.
In a common scenario, cybercriminals contact potential victims, claiming they have sent or received parcels containing illegal items like drugs or counterfeit passports.
They might also falsely inform the victim’s relatives or friends about their involvement in a crime or accident, generating a sense of urgency.
The criminals, posing as law enforcement personnel, demand money to “resolve” the case. Victims are coerced into staying visible on video conferencing platforms until they meet the demands.
