Pune Police have apprehended three individuals believed to be key members of an international cybercrime racket. The accused were allegedly involved in orchestrating sophisticated online scams to defraud victims across multiple countries.
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Fake Job Portals, Phishing Scams Used to Dupe Victims
According to senior officials from the Pune Cyber Crime Cell, the accused operated through fake job portals and phishing websites to obtain sensitive personal and financial information from unsuspecting individuals. These details were then used to carry out large-scale fraudulent transactions.
The investigation revealed that the group had been in contact with overseas operatives and coordinated online crimes using advanced tools, VPNs, and encrypted messaging platforms. The suspects also used remote access software to manipulate the devices of victims and transfer funds from their accounts.
A joint team from the Cyber Cell and Intelligence Bureau raided multiple locations in Pune, resulting in the arrest of the trio and the seizure of 21 mobile phones, 9 laptops, 25 SIM cards, and several forged documents. Digital forensic teams are currently analyzing the recovered devices for additional leads.
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International Links and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities confirmed that the racket has ties to cybercrime networks operating in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. The group is suspected of laundering proceeds through cryptocurrency and digital wallets to avoid detection.
An FIR has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. Police are also in touch with international enforcement agencies to identify more individuals linked to the case.
Officials urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid sharing personal information or credentials on unverified websites or with unknown contacts online.
The arrested individuals are currently in police custody and will be produced in court following further interrogation.
The Pune Police Cyber Cell emphasized that efforts are ongoing to dismantle the broader network and track down international accomplices involved in the fraudulent activities.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.