The Cyber Crime Police have busted a gang that stole mobile phones and used the linked SIM cards to generate new UPI IDs and siphon money from bank accounts. Two adult accused and a juvenile have been apprehended, and seven mobile phones worth around ₹4 lakh have been recovered.
Lead emerged during probe into stolen phone case
The crackdown followed the investigation of a complaint from the Quarsi area, where a stolen mobile phone was used to fraudulently create a UPI account and withdraw ₹5,67,497 on August 20, 2025. Technical analysis and data sharing helped investigators identify the suspects.
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Arrests made in Moradabad
Police arrested Sasaram Nonia from Purba Bardhaman (West Bengal), Mohammad Shamsul from Sahibganj (Jharkhand), and a juvenile from Moradabad. The two adults have been sent to jail, while the juvenile has been placed in a reform home in Agra.
Juvenile was the mastermind
During interrogation, police found that the gang specialised in mobile theft. They targeted phones with SIM cards linked to bank accounts, registered fresh UPI IDs on the same numbers, and transferred money out. Officials said the juvenile was the key planner behind the operation.
The accused also confessed to stealing a phone at Aligarh railway station a few months earlier and using the same method to withdraw lakhs of rupees.
Modus operandi
- Steal phones in crowded places
- Identify SIMs linked to bank accounts
- Register a new UPI on the same number
- Exploit device-based authentication to transfer funds
Police advisory to the public
Cyber Crime Police have urged citizens to:
- Never hand over phones to strangers
- Immediately block SIM and bank accounts if a phone is lost or stolen
- Disable UPI and banking apps at once
- Use strong screen locks and SIM locks
Officials warned that with the rise in digital payments, such frauds are increasing, and prompt reporting and awareness remain the best defence.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
