New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested three men for allegedly cheating a 61-year-old retired Army officer of more than ₹90,000 by posing as representatives of a gas distribution company and tricking him into installing a malicious mobile application. Investigators say the case is part of a larger, organised cyber fraud operation that targeted multiple victims across the country using fake utility service claims and fraudulent software.
The arrests were made by the Crime Branch following a complaint filed by the retired officer, who reported unauthorised withdrawals from his bank account after receiving a phone call purportedly related to a gas service update. Officials said the accused convinced the victim to download and install an APK file on his mobile phone, which secretly granted them access to his banking credentials.
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The arrested men have been identified as Bickey Mandal alias Vicky (22), Sumit Kumar Singh (26) and Rajeev Kumar Mandal (22). Police said all three were apprehended from Asansol in West Bengal after technical surveillance and digital tracking.
According to investigators, the accused followed a familiar but highly effective scam pattern. Victims were contacted over phone calls or messages and told they needed to update gas subsidy details, verify connections or complete mandatory service formalities. Under the pretext of urgency, the callers persuaded targets to install what they described as an official application, which in reality was a malicious APK designed to extract sensitive data.
Once installed, the application allowed the accused to gain remote access to the victim’s phone, monitor keystrokes and retrieve banking information, enabling unauthorised transactions.
Digital trail reveals organised operation
The Crime Branch registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after preliminary verification confirmed coordinated cyber fraud activity. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Aditya Gautam said technical analysis pointed to a structured network operating through multiple mobile devices and SIM cards.
During searches, police recovered nine mobile phones from the accused. Digital extraction carried out on seven devices revealed data linked to several victims, along with multiple fraudulent APK files impersonating well-known organisations and utility service providers. Officials said the devices also contained transaction records and communication logs used to run the scams.
Further investigation linked the trio to at least 35 cyber fraud complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), indicating repeat involvement in organised cybercrime.
Background of the accused
Police said Bickey Mandal, a resident of Asansol in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district, allegedly played a key role in circulating the malicious APK files. He is accused of operating multiple mobile numbers to avoid detection and was previously involved in a cybercrime case registered in Asansol in 2024.
The other two accused, Sumit Kumar Singh and Rajeev Kumar Mandal, are residents of Jamtara in Jharkhand, a region that has figured prominently in several cybercrime investigations in recent years. Singh, police said, has prior criminal cases registered against him in Jharkhand. Both were found in possession of multiple mobile phones suspected to have been used for fraudulent activities.
Growing concern over APK-based frauds
Investigators noted that scams involving malicious APK files have emerged as a major cyber threat, particularly targeting senior citizens and retired professionals who may be less familiar with app permissions and digital security warnings. Fraudsters increasingly exploit trust in utility services by impersonating gas agencies, electricity boards and telecom providers.
Police have urged citizens to remain cautious and avoid installing applications sent via links on calls or messages, even if they appear to come from service providers. Officials reiterated that legitimate utilities do not ask customers to download third-party APK files or share sensitive banking information.
Further probe underway
Police said further investigation is ongoing to trace the complete digital trail, identify additional victims and recover the cheated money. Authorities are also examining whether the accused were part of a larger interstate network operating similar frauds in other regions.
The Delhi Police said the arrests were part of sustained efforts to dismantle organised cybercrime groups and warned that strict action would continue against those exploiting technology to target unsuspecting citizens.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
