Srinagar 13th October 2021:
Cyber Police Kashmir receive complaints regarding KYC frauds, wherein the victims are receiving unsolicited communications, such as calls and SMSs, urging the them to call on some
provided numbers for updating their KYC and then victims share certain personal details, account / login details/ card information, PIN, OTP, and so on, or installing some unauthorised/ unverified application through links provided in the communication. Such communications have also been reported to include threats of bank account freezing, blocking, or closure. When the victims share information over a call/message/unauthorized application, fraudsters gain access to the customers bank accounts and defraud them. Cyber Police Kashmir also learnt that the messages are sent out to people for Updating their KYC (Know Your Customer) on their mobiles.The message sent to victims are in format as Dear xyz, your SIM card KYC documents will expire soon. Please call on 9xxxxxxxxx9 our JIO customer care team. Service will be stopped within 24 hours. Thanks When the complainants call on these numbers, the cyber criminals pose as representatives of leading telecom companies and
tell callers to recharge by very small amounts like Rs 10 ,15 etc through mobile apps like JIO app.The fraudesters make victims to download remote access applications like “Anydesk, Quick Support or Team viewer ” and then make them to provide their personal and financial details.When the unaware victims follow their directions and make recharge payment, they receive messages related to withdrawal of money from their bank accounts.Lakhs of rupees have been siphoned by the Cyber Criminals in Kashmir valley through these frauds.
On recieving such complaints, Cyber Police Kashmir registered FIR No 19/2021 and started investigations.During investigations Cyber Police Kashmir Zone Srinagar tracked down 02 persons involved in such crimes who were arrested from a rented accommodation at New Theed Harwan, Srinagar. They have been identified as Mohammad Hanzala Beig S/o Mohd Shafi R/o Court Road Vailoo,Kokernag and Mohammad Rajab Khan R/o Ali Mohammad R/o wairad, Kokernag A/P Gundtal New Theed Harwan. During preliminary investigation, it came to fore that for illegal monetary gains, the accused perons in connivance with non local cyber criminals operationg from UP, Bihar and other states in organised ways cheat/ defraud common people.
The typical mode of operation in such cases usually includes that these fraudesters
withdraw money from the accounts of victims and transfer it to bank accounts based in different parts of country and ultimately withdraw it. But a very unusual modus operandi was
found wherein Kashmir based bank accounts were found involved in this incident.The two
arrested accused were found to have created dozens of local bank accounts fraudulently and have provided the same along with their ATM Cards to the co-accused located outside state. Most of the bank accounts have been created in the name of destitute women from South
Kashmir & Srinagar who have been provided some monetary benefits by the arrested persons.
Cyber Police Kashmir recovered *07 Mobile Phones,13 Sim Cards 47 ATM Debit/Credit
cards of different banks,36 FINO Bank account Kit books,04 Cheque Books, 06 blank cheques,07 Passbooks,and other documents*. More arrests are expected, Further investigation is going on.
