Delhi Police Cyber Cell has arrested a 23-year-old man from Bihar’s Chhapra for allegedly using malicious APK files to hack mobile phones and withdraw money from victims’ bank accounts. Investigators said the accused used fake applications to gain access to mobile devices, intercept sensitive banking information and carry out unauthorised transactions within minutes.
Complaint Revealed APK-Based Bank Fraud
The arrested accused has been identified as Vikas Kumar Gupta, a resident of Chhapra in Bihar. Police recovered a mobile phone and SIM card from his possession, which were allegedly used in cyber fraud operations.
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The case came to light after a delivery executive filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. The complainant alleged that a suspicious APK file was installed on his mobile phone, after which ₹2.48 lakh was withdrawn from his bank account through multiple transactions in a short period.
Money Trail Led Police to Bihar Account
After registering a case, Cyber Police Station North began a technical investigation and traced the transaction trail. Investigators found that nearly ₹2 lakh of the stolen amount had been transferred to a bank account in Bihar registered in the name of Vikas Kumar Gupta.
A police team reached Chhapra, but the accused was found absconding. Officials said his family allegedly did not cooperate with the investigation. Continuous surveillance and digital tracking later led to his arrest from Delhi.
Malicious Apps Used to Control Phones
During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that he first came in contact with cybercriminals through social media platforms such as Facebook. Police said he initially supplied bank accounts to other fraudsters on commission before building his own network.
Investigators said the malicious APK files allegedly gave full access to victims’ phones, including banking apps, SMS services and sensitive data. This allowed the accused to intercept OTPs and carry out unauthorised transactions.
Police are now searching for other absconding members of the gang and examining possible links across multiple states. Authorities have urged citizens not to install APK files or applications from unknown links and unverified sources, warning that such files can compromise mobile phones and expose bank accounts to fraud.
