In a groundbreaking operation, Bengaluru’s South West Division police have successfully dismantled an elaborate online investment scam. This eight-member gang lured unsuspecting individuals with promises of exorbitant returns, then cunningly hacked into their accounts using malicious software disguised as an APK file.
Remarkably, these fraudsters didn’t just target victims nationwide and internationally; they even defrauded one of their own team members. This critical internal betrayal proved to be their undoing, providing the vital lead the police needed to expose the entire operation.
The disgruntled employee, having fallen victim to the scam themselves, courageously stepped forward to alert the authorities. Acting swiftly on this crucial information, a specialized police team, under the command of DCP South West Anitha Haddannavar, conducted coordinated raids across seven locations, apprehending eight individuals in the act.
Impressive Haul of Evidence Seized
During these raids, officers recovered a substantial amount of incriminating evidence, including 15 laptops, 40 mobile phones, 11 pen drives, 42 mobile SIM cards, 4 iPads, two hard disk drives, and 10 memory cards. Additionally, foreign currency, luxury branded watches, currency counting machines, and more than 50 bank account documents were confiscated, painting a clear picture of the scale of their illicit enterprise.
A senior police official detailed the gang’s sophisticated ‘modus operandi’: they would initiate contact through various social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, enticing potential victims with tempting messages promising incredibly high returns on their investments.
Once a user expressed interest, the fraudsters would send a deceptive APK link, claiming it was necessary to ‘complete formalities’ for joining the investment group. The moment this malicious link was clicked, the perpetrators gained unauthorized access to the victim’s account details, swiftly transferring funds to a network of different bank accounts.
A formal case has been lodged against the arrested individuals at the Kengeri police station. Investigations are actively underway to identify and locate all victims of this widespread fraud. Anyone who suspects they may have lost money to this scam is urged to come forward and report it to the police.