The ongoing investigation into the ₹11.55 crore cyber fraud targeting the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank has seen significant developments, with four individuals recently apprehended across multiple states. While two of the arrested individuals have been remanded to judicial custody, two others were released on notice, signaling the nuanced and complex nature of the ongoing probe into this sophisticated server hacking incident.
The arrests were made in a coordinated operation spanning Maharashtra (Mumbai), Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. Of the four, two accused, whose bank accounts showed transactions ranging from ₹16 lakh to ₹48 lakh linked to the fraud, have been sent to judicial custody. Their accounts have been seized as part of the evidence. However, the other two individuals were released after receiving a notice, reportedly due to smaller amounts of illicit funds in their accounts and a perceived lack of cooperation in the ongoing investigation. The cyber police indicated that more suspects are on their radar, particularly those with transactions running into lakhs of rupees.
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Unraveling the Modus Operandi and Expanding the Net
The audacious cyber attack, which resulted in the theft of ₹11.55 crore, occurred on May 11th and 12th, a holiday period, highlighting the fraudsters’ deliberate timing. The perpetrators allegedly hacked the mobile phone of an account holder at the Hatli branch of Chamba, subsequently siphoning off the substantial sum from the State Cooperative Bank. Investigations so far point to the widespread use of “mule accounts” to facilitate the fraudulent transactions, a common tactic in large-scale cybercrimes to obscure the money trail.
A second team of cyber police is actively engaged in tracking down other accused individuals involved in this case. Their focus remains on identifying and apprehending those in whose accounts the illicit funds have been transferred, aiming to dismantle the entire network responsible for the fraud. The scale of the operation suggests a well-organized syndicate, and the police are working diligently to piece together all aspects of the crime.
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Pending Report from CERT-In and Future of the Investigation
A crucial piece of the puzzle is the report from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) New Delhi. CERT-In had been investigating the matter independently, and its findings are highly anticipated. This report is expected to shed significant light on the precise methods used to carry out the fraud, including details about the server hacking, and is also anticipated to provide further clues about the identities and methodologies of the fraudsters. As of now, the report has not yet been submitted, but its insights are considered vital for advancing the investigation.
The cyber police remain vigilant, emphasizing that the probe is far from over. With more accused on their radar and the crucial CERT-In report pending, authorities are hopeful of unraveling the full extent of this elaborate financial crime and bringing all perpetrators to justice. The ongoing efforts aim not only to recover the stolen funds but also to strengthen cybersecurity measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.