Fake apps online scam: How over 5 lakh Indians were cheated of ₹150 crore by Chinese nationals

Fake apps online scam: It was revealed that the main Chinese handlers behind this massive scam used to randomly contact people over various Apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram.

Fake apps online scam by Chinese nationals managed to dupe over 5 lakh Indians. (Pixabay)

Fake apps online scam: Yet another shocking instance of innocent people losing massive amounts of their hard earned money has come to light. Cyber Cell linked to Delhi Police on Wednesday busted a syndicate run by a group of Chinese nationals who were stealing data and have cheated over 5 lakh Indians of over ₹150 crore via fake investment apps. Anyesh Roy, Deputy Commissioner of police of Cyber Crime Cell (CyPAD) divulged the details.

How this fake apps online scam worked

First of all, some good news. The people responsible have been arrested. 11 persons, including two Chartered Accountants were arrested in a crackdown by Delhi Police.

These people were running multiple financial investments schemes and they assured people that their money was safe and they would get high returns. Delhi Police revealed these apps were run by Chinese nationals using Multilevel marketing (MLM) model for cheating.

"Over 5,00,000 confirmed victims have been cheated of more than ₹150 crores. Over ₹11 crores has been frozen in banks by swift police action and ₹97 Lakh cash has been recovered," informed Roy.

Fraud Apps listed on Google Play Store

Roy stated that a large number of such Apps have been circulated by the fraudsters and some of these fraudulent, malicious Apps were also listed on Google Play Store.

According to the current estimates, the total cheated amount is around ₹150 Crores and the total recovery so far in cash, bank accounts and payment gateways is around ₹12 Crores. More than 5 lakh people invested their hard earned money in such apps," stated Roy.

How People were contacted on WhatsApp, Telegram

The DCP stated that the main Chinese handlers behind this massive scam used to randomly contact people over various Apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram and hired the interested persons as partners for procuring bogus bank accounts, creating shell companies, circulating and promoting the Apps, and transferring money.

As per the police, technical analysis also brought out that several mobile numbers connected with the bank accounts and involved in the scam were found running in China.

The police said they circulated the link of an 'online App' that induces and cheats a large number of people by promising them lucrative returns based on a multi-level marketing model.

Which parts of India they were active in

Their footprints have been confirmed in West Bengal, Delhi-Noida (NCR), Bengaluru, Odisha, Assam and Surat. Using the large following of their Telegram Channels, they recruited persons who can work for them for certain incentives," the DCP said.

According to the police, 30 mobile phones were recovered from the accused Robin, whose disclosure revealed a startlingly well-planned conspiracy of cheating and fraud being organized by Chinese nationals through a labyrinth of shell companies, bank accounts and dummy mobile numbers.

How fake apps online scam all started

Shaikh Robin, who was contacted by the Chinese through Telegram, initially opened a bank account for these fraudsters but later started acting as an operative whose primary task was to manage the large number of fund transfers, while the fraudsters were safely based outside India, said the police.

At the time of his arrest, he had the custody of 29 bank accounts and 30 active mobile phones. At the same time, four persons namely Umakant Akash Joys, Ved Chandra, Hari Om and Abhishek Mansaramani, all residents of Delhi, were arrested.

They are Directors in the shell companies being used in the scam, the police said.

He said the names of several Chinese nationals have been revealed so far. "Investigation in respect of their whereabouts, specific roles and their large fraud network is underway.

"One accused Arvind, who had induced three of these persons to become Directors, for a one-time payment, was also arrested. These accused further revealed the involvement of two Chartered Accountants, Avik Kedia and Ronak behind the creation of these shell companies in connivance with Chinese nationals, and both of them were arrested the same day," the police said.

Subsequently, on the basis of an investigation into the money trail, accused Sashi Bansal and Mithlesh Sharma were arrested for their role in providing bogus companies and bank accounts to the Chinese fraudsters.