Surat Police have arrested a Bihar-based cyber fraud gang accused of hacking mobile phones by sending fake APK files in the name of PNB One. Four accused were arrested from a hotel in Patna during a midnight raid. Police said the gang had links with the Jamtara cybercrime network.
PNB One is the official mobile application of Punjab National Bank. Fraudsters used to send apk file in the name of PNB One. Once user downloaded the app, their mobiles were hacked and money was withdrawn.
Fake APK Files Used to Hack Phones
According to the investigation, the accused created fake APK files and sent them to mobile users across the country. These files were designed to look like genuine applications or messages from banks and other services. When a person downloaded and installed the file, the accused could gain access to data on the mobile phone.
The gang allegedly used the stolen banking information to make unauthorised transactions and withdraw money from victims’ accounts.
Investigation Started With ₹5 Lakh Fraud
The investigation began after a person from Surat reported a cyber fraud of ₹5 lakh. Police found that the accused had created a fake “PNB One.APK” file in the name of Punjab National Bank between May 15 and May 18.
The fake APK file was sent to the complainant. After the person downloaded and installed it, the accused allegedly gained access to the mobile phone. The fraudsters then withdrew ₹5 lakh without the victim’s knowledge.
Surat Police Chased Accused for 2,456 Km
During the investigation, the Surat Cyber Crime team found links to cyber fraud activities in Jamtara and Deoghar in Jharkhand. The police team travelled to these areas and continued tracking the accused by road and train.
The investigation eventually revealed that all four accused were staying at a hotel in Patna. Police officers reportedly disguised themselves and conducted a midnight raid at the hotel, where they arrested all four accused while they were sleeping. The Surat Police team travelled around 2,456 km during the operation.
336 Fake APK Files Recovered
Police said the investigation of the APK files found from the accused revealed around 336 fake applications. These files were created using the names of banks, government schemes, RTO challans, customer support services and hospitals.
The files were reportedly distributed across the country through platforms such as WhatsApp and were installed on around 31,174 mobile phones.
₹125 Crore Cyber Fraud Linked to Gang
According to the investigation, the gang allegedly gained access to the mobile phones of around 5,613 people. Police found that the accused carried out a total of 1,06,643 debit transactions using the stolen information.
The total amount involved in the alleged cyber fraud was found to be ₹1,25,39,48,187, which is approximately ₹125.39 crore.
Investigation Continues
The arrests have helped police uncover the wider network allegedly involved in the fake APK operation. The investigation is continuing to identify other people linked to the gang and determine the full extent of the cyber fraud.
