• Source:JND

Mumbai News: Mumbai’s North Cyber Police have arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly cheating a Malad-based businessman of over Rs 21 lakh through a fake traffic e-challan sent on WhatsApp. The fraud involved a malicious APK file disguised as an official message from the Regional Transport Office (RTO).

Victim Targeted During Family Visit

According to police, the 42-year-old businessman had travelled to Gujarat in November last year to attend a family wedding. During the visit, he received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number with a file titled “RTO Challan”. Believing it to be a genuine traffic notice, he opened the file.

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Unknowingly, the file installed an APK on his phone, giving cyber fraudsters access to his device and linked banking applications.

Money Drained Within Minutes

Soon after the file was opened, the businessman’s bank account was debited by Rs 11.33 lakh. The fraudsters also accessed his wife’s account and withdrew another Rs 10.39 lakh. The entire amount was siphoned off within minutes, police said.

The victim realised something was wrong on December 1, when he visited his bank to update his passbook. Bank officials alerted him to possible cyber fraud, following which he approached the Cyber Police and lodged a complaint.

Accused Traced To Surat

Based on technical analysis, digital evidence and bank transaction trails, the police traced the money flow to Surat. The accused, Hardik Ashokbhai Borda, was arrested from the city.

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Police said Borda is a BCom student who was running an online business selling weighing machines. Investigators believe he was a key member of a cyber fraud network that impersonated RTO authorities to trap victims.

Probe Into Larger Racket Ongoing

A senior cyber police officer said the fraud appeared to be well-planned and involved multiple layers of money laundering. The arrested accused played a crucial role in moving stolen funds.

Police said efforts are ongoing to trace other members of the gang, and more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.


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