States » NorthPosted at: Oct 8 2026 4:39PM


Seven held in Rs 5.12 lakh cyber fraud in Haryana; Data of 21,000 gas, bank customers recovered

Faridabad, Oct 8 (UNI) Faridabad Police have arrested seven members of an alleged interstate cyber fraud gang that cheated an elderly man of Rs 5.12 lakh through a fake Adani Gas bill payment alert, recovering personal data of nearly 21,000 gas and bank customers and evidence that malicious Android application files were sent to 116 people, officials said.
The gang reportedly used stolen consumer information to send WhatsApp messages threatening disconnection of gas connections unless outstanding bills were paid immediately. Victims were then persuaded to download malicious APK files, enabling the accused to gain unauthorised access to their mobile phones and bank accounts.
The arrests followed a complaint by a Sector-37 resident who received a WhatsApp message on September 1 asking him to clear his Adani Gas bill to avoid disconnection.
When the complainant contacted the number provided in the message, the caller purportedly induced him to download an APK file disguised as a gas bill update. Police said Rs 5,12,344 was subsequently withdrawn from his bank account through three transactions.
Cyber Crime Police Station Central SHO Inspector Basant Kumar said the racket was allegedly masterminded by Deepak Kumar Mandal of Giridih, Jharkhand, who purchased consumer databases and malicious APK files through Telegram.
The other arrested accused were identified as Anil Kumar Mandal of Deoghar, Jharkhand, Ashwin Bhai, Khunt Dhaval, Manish Bhai, Deep Vitthalbhai and Pithabhai Bhaya Bhai of Surat, Gujarat.
According to police, Deepak and Anil contacted potential victims and sent fraudulent messages and APK files. Ashwin allegedly arranged credit cards used to transfer the proceeds, while Manish, Deep Vitthalbhai and Pithabhai were cardholders.
Khunt Dhaval reportedly withdrew money through the credit cards and passed it to Deepak. Investigators said the stolen funds were used to settle outstanding credit card bills.
Police recovered data relating to approximately 20,000 Adani Gas consumers and 1,000 UCO Bank customers, besides six mobile phones, SIM cards, credit cards and other electronic devices.
The investigation also revealed that malicious APK files had been sent to 116 people. Police have not established how many recipients suffered financial losses or how the consumer databases were obtained.
Faridabad Police warned people against downloading APK files received through WhatsApp or suspicious payment links and urged victims to report cyber fraud immediately through helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
Further investigation is underway.
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Tags: #Seven held in Rs 5.12 lakh cyber fraud in Haryana; Data of 21#000 gas# bank customers recovered
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