Acting on precise intelligence, the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttarakhand, in collaboration with the Cyber Crime Police of the Kumaon zone, uncovered a high-level cyber fraud operation being conducted from a remote homestay in the Amritpur area of Khatgodam, Nainital. The setup, located in the under-construction homestay of one Vikki Joshi, served as a cyber fraud center run by local youths under the remote supervision of a mastermind identified as Sachin Mittal.
The STF raid led to the arrest of six individuals, namely:
- Jatin Pandey (21), Amritpur, Nainital
- Kamal Kishore (20), Mukteshwar, Nainital
- Harsh Bora (19), Khatgodam, Nainital
- Kaushal Kishore alias Ashish Thakur (25), Kannauj, UP
- Prem Kumar (20), originally from Lakhimpur Kheri, UP
- Karan Kevat (22), originally from Deoria, UP
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These individuals had been recruited and trained by Sachin Mittal and Priyanshu Sharma, who set up the entire infrastructure including laptops, mobile devices, internet connections, and accommodation.
Sophisticated Modus Operandi Using Fake Websites and Banking Infrastructure
Investigations revealed that the gang created fraudulent gaming and investment websites like TOOFAN777, TOOFAN247, ALLPANELEXCH.COM, and MY99EXCH.COM. Using fake bank accounts and SIM cards obtained in other individuals’ names, they used WhatsApp and Telegram to coordinate illegal fund transfers from victims across India.
The gang used sophisticated bar code scanners and OTP interception methods to exploit victims’ credentials. Through WhatsApp groups, they received transaction alerts and OTPs, which were then used to siphon money into different mule accounts, primarily operated via Utkarsh Small Finance Bank and others. Around 12 complaints linked to these accounts had already been registered on the cybercrime helpline 1930 across multiple states.
Seizures, Charges and Police Appeal
The raid resulted in the recovery of:
- 06 laptops (including Apple, Asus, Lenovo)
- 23 premium smartphones (Samsung S24, iPhone, Nothing, Redmi, etc.)
- 17 activated SIM cards
- 09 bank account kits with registered mobile numbers
- Barcode scanners, WiFi devices, ATM cards, checkbooks
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A case has been registered under Sections 318(4), 61(2), 3(5) of BNS 2023 and 66(D) of the IT Act at Khatgodam Police Station. Senior officials including ADG Cyber Crime Binod Kumar Singh, STF Chief Navneet Singh, and officers like ASP Swapn Kishore, DySP Ankush Mishra, and DySP R.B. Chamola oversaw the crackdown.
In a public advisory, STF urged citizens to stay alert and not fall prey to fake websites, “double your money” schemes, or fake ticket booking links. They warned against engaging with unverified online job offers, unsolicited social media connections, and fake customer care numbers sourced from Google.
Victims of financial cybercrime are encouraged to immediately call 1930 or report to their nearest cybercrime police station.