Vijayawada: In a shocking cybercrime case, unsuspecting daily wage labourers from Ajit Singh Nagar in Vijayawada found themselves entangled in a financial fraud spanning across states.
The victims, who opened bank accounts for a mere Rs 1,500, are now facing legal trouble after receiving notices from the Maharashtra police for their alleged involvement in a cybercrime case involving Rs 17.5 lakh.
According to police, Pitla Srinivasa Rao, a labourer, was approached by a man named Ramu, whom he knew locally. Ramu, along with his associate Daniel, promised him Rs 1,500 in exchange for opening a bank account in a private bank in the One Town area. Trusting their words, Srinivasa Rao and three others, Pitla Durga Bhavani, Vemula Suseela, and Issac, provided their Aadhaar details, photographs, and mobile numbers to open accounts. They received the promised amount, but their passbooks and ATM cards were taken away by the middlemen.
Little did they know that these accounts would soon be used for illegal transactions. After a few months, all four individuals received 41A notices from the Maharashtra police, summoning them for questioning in connection with a cyber fraud case. Investigations revealed that Rs 17.5 lakh was deposited and subsequently withdrawn from their accounts by unidentified cybercriminals.
Cybercrime inspector Gunaram told TOI that the incident highlights an evolving trend where cyber fraudsters exploit innocent people by using their bank accounts for illegal transactions. Previously, fraudsters would rent accounts from willing participants in exchange for a monthly fee. However, they have now shifted tactics, targeting unsuspecting individuals from lower-income backgrounds and tricking them into opening accounts under their control.
Middlemen like Ramu and Daniel act as facilitators, earning between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000 per account from cybercriminals. The account holders are given a small sum, while the brokers pocket the rest. Once the fraudulent transactions are complete, these individuals are left to face the legal consequences while the real culprits vanish without a trace, the inspector added.
Cybercrime sleuths have warned that account holders will be held responsible for any illegal transactions made through their accounts. In cybercrime cases, digital footprints serve as crucial evidence, making it difficult for innocent victims to prove their non-involvement.
Inspector Gunaram urged the public to exercise extreme caution and never hand over bank passbooks, ATM cards, or login credentials to anyone. Cybercriminals are continuously finding new ways to exploit financial systems, and vigilance is the only defence against such fraudulent activities.
As investigations continue, the victims of this scam now face the daunting task of clearing their names while the masterminds behind the operation remain at large. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater awareness about financial fraud, especially among vulnerable sections of society, police added.
The victims, who opened bank accounts for a mere Rs 1,500, are now facing legal trouble after receiving notices from the Maharashtra police for their alleged involvement in a cybercrime case involving Rs 17.5 lakh.
According to police, Pitla Srinivasa Rao, a labourer, was approached by a man named Ramu, whom he knew locally. Ramu, along with his associate Daniel, promised him Rs 1,500 in exchange for opening a bank account in a private bank in the One Town area. Trusting their words, Srinivasa Rao and three others, Pitla Durga Bhavani, Vemula Suseela, and Issac, provided their Aadhaar details, photographs, and mobile numbers to open accounts. They received the promised amount, but their passbooks and ATM cards were taken away by the middlemen.
Little did they know that these accounts would soon be used for illegal transactions. After a few months, all four individuals received 41A notices from the Maharashtra police, summoning them for questioning in connection with a cyber fraud case. Investigations revealed that Rs 17.5 lakh was deposited and subsequently withdrawn from their accounts by unidentified cybercriminals.
Cybercrime inspector Gunaram told TOI that the incident highlights an evolving trend where cyber fraudsters exploit innocent people by using their bank accounts for illegal transactions. Previously, fraudsters would rent accounts from willing participants in exchange for a monthly fee. However, they have now shifted tactics, targeting unsuspecting individuals from lower-income backgrounds and tricking them into opening accounts under their control.
Middlemen like Ramu and Daniel act as facilitators, earning between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000 per account from cybercriminals. The account holders are given a small sum, while the brokers pocket the rest. Once the fraudulent transactions are complete, these individuals are left to face the legal consequences while the real culprits vanish without a trace, the inspector added.
Cybercrime sleuths have warned that account holders will be held responsible for any illegal transactions made through their accounts. In cybercrime cases, digital footprints serve as crucial evidence, making it difficult for innocent victims to prove their non-involvement.
Inspector Gunaram urged the public to exercise extreme caution and never hand over bank passbooks, ATM cards, or login credentials to anyone. Cybercriminals are continuously finding new ways to exploit financial systems, and vigilance is the only defence against such fraudulent activities.
As investigations continue, the victims of this scam now face the daunting task of clearing their names while the masterminds behind the operation remain at large. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater awareness about financial fraud, especially among vulnerable sections of society, police added.
