City Cyber Crime Branch busts 4 for pension fraud in Chhattisgarh

| | BHOPAL
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City Cyber Crime Branch busts 4 for pension fraud in Chhattisgarh

Saturday, 04 January 2025 | Staff Reporter | BHOPAL

Four individuals involved in a cybercrime operation that defrauded victims of approximately Rs 7 lakh under the guise of resolving pension issues and updating life certificates were arrested by the Cyber Crime Branch from Bhopal. The arrests were made in Sakti district of Chhattisgarh following a detailed investigation.

The accused operated by posing as treasury employees and contacting pensioners with false claims that their pensions had been withheld. They then convinced the victims to share sensitive information under the pretense of updating their life certificates in banks. Once the information was obtained, the accused used it to carry out financial fraud.

The investigation revealed a well-organized scheme involving multiple layers of participants. Bank account holders were found to be selling their accounts to cybercriminals for a commission. These accounts were then used to transfer fraudulent funds. In this case, one of the accounts had transactions amounting to ?50 lakh over a span of just 20 days.

The complaint that led to the investigation was lodged by a victim who reported being defrauded of ?6,95,100. The Cyber Crime Branch team initiated an inquiry, uncovering the systematic approach of the perpetrators. They identified that the fraudsters would transfer stolen funds through two or three intermediary accounts before withdrawing the money via ATMs to avoid detection.

The arrested individuals include Durgesh Kumar Tandon, Karan Sonavane, and Rahul Sonavane, residents of Sakti, Chhattisgarh, who had opened bank accounts and sold them to another accused, Vishwanath Khunte, alias Bablu. Khunte acted as a middleman, purchasing the accounts from the holders and selling them to other criminals involved in the fraud.

Acting on technical evidence, the Cyber Crime Branch apprehended the suspects from Malkharound in Sakti district on December 30, 2024. Three Android mobile phones were seized from the accused, and they were charged under Sections 201 and 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code, along with other applicable provisions.

The police emphasized the need for vigilance among pensioners and the general public to avoid falling prey to such fraudulent schemes. They reiterated that government employees or bank officials would never ask for sensitive personal information over the phone.

The arrests highlight the growing sophistication of cybercriminals who exploit vulnerable individuals. Authorities have urged the public to report any suspicious calls or activities to cybercrime helplines to prevent further incidents.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cyber awareness and robust security measures to protect personal and financial information.

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