Noida, September 1: The Gautam Buddh Nagar Cyber Crime Police have uncovered a gang involved in cyber fraud and blackmail targeting individuals who borrowed money through private loan apps. In a swift operation, six cybercriminals were arrested in Sector 141, Noida. Authorities seized seven mobile phones, four ATM/debit cards, two passbooks, two driving licenses, two wallets, and ₹810 in cash from the suspects.
According to police reports, the gang has defrauded victims of approximately ₹2.5 million through mule bank accounts. The operation was initiated on August 31, based on intelligence gathering and the analysis of electronic evidence. The arrested individuals have been identified as Nishant Kumar, Anees Ali, Aditya Kumar, Pankaj Kumar, Nikki Sharma, and Shiva Sharma, aged between 18 and 28. Some of the suspects were residing in rented accommodations in Noida and Greater Noida.
Investigations revealed that gang members obtained information about individuals borrowing money from private loan apps. They then contacted victims via video calls, coercing them to transfer money through UPI and QR codes. The criminals manipulated and morphed victims’ images into obscene photos, threatening to share these images to extort money. Victims were often forced to transfer funds to various bank accounts.
Police stated that the fraudulent amounts were deposited into both the suspects’ personal accounts and mule bank accounts. Digital evidence related to transactions via USD Tether was also discovered on the suspects’ mobile devices, providing crucial leads into the cybercrime network and financial dealings.
The gang has reportedly amassed around ₹2.5 million through these fraudulent activities. Five complaints have been registered against them on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, with one complaint each from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Gujarat, and two from Maharashtra. The police are currently investigating the seized electronic devices and banking documents.
Authorities are also working to determine how many more individuals are connected to the gang and how many victims have been targeted. The Cyber Crime Police have advised the public to avoid unauthorized private loan apps, emphasizing the importance of using only RBI-authorized financial institutions and their official apps for loans.
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