The Ghaziabad Crime Branch has arrested four members of a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate accused of defrauding at least 34 individuals across the country. Investigations revealed that the gang conducted illegal transactions worth ₹8 crore within a span of just 15 days.
Key Highlights
- Four cybercriminals arrested for duping 34 victims across multiple states
- Gang used fake gaming apps to gain control over victims’ phones
- ₹8 crore transferred in just 15 days through silent digital operations
- Police seize mobile phones and cash; hunt on for other accomplices
The Crackdown
According to Additional DCP Piyush Kumar Singh, the accused lured people into downloading what appeared to be free gaming apps. These applications were, in fact, malicious APK files embedded with viruses designed to hijack victims’ mobile devices once installed.
Once the infected file was activated, the gang could remotely access victims’ phones, bypass security layers, and transfer funds from their bank accounts — all without triggering transaction alerts or SMS notifications.
A Sophisticated “Silent Transaction” Scheme
Investigators said the fraudsters used advanced techniques to disable alert systems on victims’ mobile phones. This allowed them to siphon off funds without raising immediate suspicion. The stolen money was then moved through stock trading and investment apps, making the financial trail harder to trace.
Over a short period, the syndicate managed to route crores of rupees through layered digital channels, demonstrating the growing technical expertise of India’s cybercriminal networks.
Operating Out of a Local Hotel
The accused were reportedly operating from the Mahadev Hotel in the Bazaria area under Nagar Kotwali jurisdiction in Ghaziabad. Police said the hotel served as their operational base, where they planned cyber frauds and distributed the proceeds among themselves.
The arrested men were identified as:
- Bhaskar Upadhyay, resident of Prakash Vihar, Lal Kuan, Wave City (Ghaziabad)
- Mohsin Ahmad, resident of Maujpur, Jafrabad (Delhi)
- Gaurav Mishra, resident of MKM Apartment, Sector-106, Phase-2 (Noida)
- Usman Ahmad, resident of Gair Daria Khan locality, Kotwali (Rampur)
Police recovered four mobile phones and ₹50,000 in cash from their possession. The suspects have been remanded to judicial custody.
Nationwide Footprint
The cybercrime network stretched across 17 states, with victims identified in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Kerala, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Haryana.
Authorities are now tracking the digital trail to uncover how the stolen funds were moved and whether additional collaborators or financial platforms were involved.
A Wake-Up Call for Digital Users
The case underscores the rising sophistication of cyber fraud operations in India and the urgent need for stronger digital literacy among users. Police officials have urged citizens not to download unknown APK files or applications shared via unofficial links, and to immediately report any suspicious activity to cybercrime helplines.
