Panna | January 13, 2026 | Police in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district have busted a large-scale cyber fraud racket involving online scams worth over ₹100 crore, arresting the alleged mastermind Mohammad Bashar from Kolkata. Investigators said the accused was in direct contact with cybercriminals based in China, who operated the scam using Telegram-based task income schemes and fake crypto investment platforms.
According to police officials, preliminary investigations have revealed suspicious transactions exceeding ₹100 crore across 40 bank accounts linked to the accused. These accounts were allegedly used to route money collected from victims spread across multiple states. Authorities confirmed that more than 400 complaints related to the fraud have been registered nationwide, involving allegations of fake investment offers, malicious app downloads and deceptive digital payment requests.
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Telegram Used to Lure Victims
Investigators said the fraud network primarily operated through Telegram channels and groups, where potential victims were approached with offers of easy online income. Initially, users were given small tasks—such as liking posts or completing simple online activities—and paid modest amounts to build trust.
Once confidence was established, victims were encouraged to invest larger sums in crypto-related schemes and high-return task packages, with assurances of quick and guaranteed profits. Police said many victims transferred money through UPI, bank transfers and digital wallets before realising they had been defrauded.
APK Files and Chinese Handlers
Officials said the accused acted on instructions from Chinese handlers, facilitating transactions through malicious APK files installed on Indian devices and accounts. These APK-based operations allegedly allowed remote control of transactions, masking the origin of funds and obscuring the final beneficiaries.
In return, Mohammad Bashar reportedly received substantial commissions, which were routed through multiple digital wallets and layered bank accounts to evade detection. Investigators believe the structure was designed to complicate tracing and delay enforcement action.
Pan-India Footprint
Police said the racket was not confined to a single city or state. Analysis of complaint data and transaction trails indicates that the network operated across several states, using mule bank accounts, fake SIM cards and temporary email IDs.
Authorities are now identifying individuals and intermediaries who may have knowingly or unknowingly facilitated the operation by allowing their accounts to be used for fund transfers. Several such accounts have already been frozen as part of the probe.
Digital Forensics and Financial Trail Under Scrutiny
The Panna police said mobile phones, laptops and other digital storage devices seized from the accused are undergoing detailed digital forensic examination. Investigators are also analysing bank transaction trails, UPI logs and crypto wallet movements to reconstruct the complete flow of funds and establish links with overseas operators.
Officials said cooperation is being sought from banks, payment service providers and cybercrime units in other states to consolidate evidence.
More Arrests Likely
Police indicated that further arrests are likely based on disclosures made during interrogation. Inter-state coordination has been stepped up, and central agencies may be involved if international financial and cybercrime dimensions deepen.
Public Advisory Issued
Police have urged citizens to remain cautious of high-return online investment offers, task-based income schemes and unsolicited messages on Telegram or social media platforms. Users have been advised not to download unknown apps or APK files and to immediately report suspicious activity to cybercrime helplines or local police stations.
Authorities said the arrest marks a significant breakthrough against an international cyber fraud network and is expected to lead to further exposure of organised online scam operations affecting victims across the country.
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.
