Special team of city police swoops on 10 cyber criminals operating out of Surat

Ten cyber criminals belonging to Gujarat were arrested in a swift operation by the Coimbatore city Police for allegedly duping a septuagenarian of ₹16 lakh online.

According to the complaint lodged by Samuel Chandrabose (71) of Kavundampalayam during September, he had received a WhatsApp message supposedly pertaining to payment of fine imposed by the Transport authorities.

As instructed, the complainant had downloaded an app whereafter his mobile phone had been rendered non-functional. Subsequently, he had learnt that ₹16.49 lakh had been withdrawn from his bank account in 12 transactions. A team of cyber-crime wing cornered the criminals at Surat.

The accused: Badlia Rajnibai Thalsibai (37), Vishwabai Himmatbai Rattadio (36), Rattadio Savan (34), Koshilvijay Dayal Singh (37), Rathore Jithendrasingh Sharvansingh (26), Kirase Mahendrasingh Thakesingh (35), Shovadia Miral Manojbai (22), Kabil Rajubai Gotre (36), Sovadia Meet Manojbai (25) and Balasanthan Jeynath (34) were arrested.

The police team also confiscated 311 credit and debit cards, 10 mobile phones, a swiping machine and a cheque book from the accused and had them remanded in judicial custody.

The city police also has taken steps to recover ₹6.39 lakh from the bank accounts of the accused for handing over the same to the complainant.

The Commissioner of Police N. Kannan felicitated Assistant Commissioner of Police M.P. Divya, Inspector of Cyber Crime wing Alaguraj and 10 other members of the special team.

The cyber crime police has cautioned the public against downloading any link sent through WhatsApp messages forwarded from hacked phones of acquaintances.