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Delhi Police have arrested two alleged key members of a Jamtara-based cyber fraud network who had remained beyond investigators’ reach for more than five years in a case involving the theft of ₹27.10 lakh through a fake banking website.
The accused, identified as Md Mehruddin Ansari, 30, and Md Arsad Ansari, 29, surrendered before a court at Patiala House on October 30 and were subsequently arrested.
Police disclosed the development on Tuesday, saying the two men allegedly helped create fraudulent websites resembling those of established banks and used fake customer-care services to target account holders.
Five-Year Search Ends With Arrest Of Two Accused
The case dates back to July 2021, when Bishwajeet Paul approached Delhi Police after allegedly losing ₹27.10 lakh from his bank account.
According to investigators, Paul had been searching online for Canara Bank’s customer-care number because he needed assistance with a cheque-related issue.
He contacted a telephone number appearing in the search results, believing it belonged to the bank’s authorised support service.
The person answering the call allegedly directed him to a website designed to resemble the bank’s official online platform.
The fraudulent website used the address customercomplaintregisters.com.
Police said the complainant entered his banking information on the website after following the caller’s instructions.
An application was subsequently downloaded onto his mobile phone.
Investigators alleged that the criminals used the information and access obtained through this process to carry out unauthorised transactions.
The money was transferred into eight different bank accounts.
Following the complaint, an FIR was registered at Delhi Police’s Special Cell police station on July 8, 2021.
Investigators began examining the fraudulent website, the customer-care telephone number and the bank accounts used to receive the money.
Fake Customer Care Listings Used To Trap Bank Customers
The investigation revealed an alleged network that created websites closely resembling the official portals of well-known banks.
Police suspect the group also used online advertisements to display fraudulent customer-care numbers in search results.
This approach was designed to reach people already looking for legitimate banking assistance.
Unlike a random fraudulent phone call, the criminals allegedly waited for potential victims to contact them.
A customer searching for help with a cheque, blocked card or other banking problem could encounter a sponsored listing that appeared to offer official support.
After the customer called, the fraudsters allegedly directed them to fake websites or passed their calls to other associates.
Police said some of these calls were transferred within the network in exchange for payments.
The accused allegedly used these interactions to persuade victims to enter sensitive banking information through fraudulent links.
The investigation identified Mehruddin and Arsad Ansari as suspected creators of the fake Canara Bank website used in Paul’s case.
Both are residents of Jharkhand’s Jamtara district.
Eight Other Accused Were Previously Arrested
The arrests are the latest development in an investigation that had already resulted in action against several alleged associates.
Police said eight other individuals were arrested earlier in connection with the case.
These included people suspected of arranging bank accounts, receiving fraudulent transfers and facilitating withdrawals.
A chargesheet was filed against two of the earlier accused.
Six others were subsequently arrested and are currently out on regular bail, according to the police statement.
However, Mehruddin and Arsad allegedly continued avoiding arrest despite repeated police searches.
Investigators obtained non-bailable warrants against them after they remained unavailable for questioning and legal proceedings.
Both men have reportedly studied up to the matriculation level.
Police allege that their roles extended beyond receiving stolen funds to creating fraudulent banking websites and supporting the fake customer-care operation.
The extent of their individual involvement remains subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny.
Why Fake Bank Websites Remain A Serious Threat
The method described in the case is commonly known as phishing.
Phishing involves deceiving people into revealing confidential information through websites, messages or communications that imitate legitimate organisations.
A fraudulent banking website may use familiar colours, logos and layouts to resemble an official service.
However, entering account details on such a page can expose sensitive information to criminals.
The risk increases when a person is directed to the website through a telephone call that appears to come from customer support.
The Jamtara case also illustrates how search advertisements can be misused to make fraudulent contact numbers appear credible.
A sponsored result is not proof that a business or telephone number is genuine.
The latest arrests represent progress in a case that began more than five years ago, although police have not announced any fresh recovery of the ₹27.10 lakh involved in the original complaint.
What This Means For You
Always obtain customer-care numbers from your bank’s official website, mobile application or bank-issued documents. Never enter banking credentials through links provided by unknown callers or install applications at their request.
