The Delhi Police has arrested 65 people for allegedly duping over 200 people on the pretext of updating their BSES electricity bills. The arrests were made in raids conducted in 22 cities across the country in the last 10 days.
Police said more than 200 complaints reported at NCRP and more than 500 instances of cheating were noticed.
The accused duped these people by installing a remote access software in their victims' mobile phones and accessing their OTPs, or one time passwords, police said. Recently, it had come to light that some fraudsters were sending random messages to the people saying their electricity bill had not been updated, and threatened to cut off their connection if they were not corrected.
The victims, assuming the message to be genuine, called the number mentioned in the message. When they called the number, they were connected with the alleged fraudsters, who, posing as electricity officers, managed to get their bank account details or install a remote access software in their phones. Once the details were shared, the accused transferred money from their victims' accounts.
According to K P S Malhotra, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), IFSO unit, during investigation, police found that more than 200 complaints were lodged detailing the same modus operandi. “In its investigation, police found that the fraud network was spread in several states across the country, police official privy with the investigation said. Police formed different teams and conducted raids in more than 22 cities, including Jaipur, Indore, Ludhiana, Jamtara, Karmatand, Kolkata, Gandhinagar, Surat, arresting the accused, said the DCP. “SIM card vendors, account holders and providers, E-Mitra and their associates, and some tele callers were working as part of gang,” said the DCP.
Police have also recovered 45 mobile phones, 60 debit and credit cards, nine cheque books, seven passbooks and 25 pre-activated SIM cards from the possession of the accused, said police adding that more than 100 bank accounts have been freezed by the police.
According to a senior BSES official, the electricity distribution company in Delhi, said it has, of late, been making efforts to make people aware about such frauds through messages.
"BSES discoms have been sensitising consumers and in fact, have undertaken a very aggressive campaign in the last few months across multiple platforms including on social media, WhatsApp, SMS Alerts and consumer newsletter (that goes with the bills) to inform consumers to be vigilant against these fraudulent calls and messages,” said the official.
"BSES officials are also educating consumers during in-person interactions and in RWA meetings to be alert on fraudulent calls and messages regarding electricity disconnection, bill payment, etc and not click on unknown links or call on suspicious numbers received through SMS/e-mail,” the official added.
