Hyderabad: Hyderabad Police have busted an interstate hybrid cyber fraud syndicate that allegedly combined physical mobile phone theft with digital financial fraud.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar on Wednesday warned the public about the emerging “hybrid cyber fraud” modus operandi.
The gang allegedly targeted senior citizens, daily commuters and vulnerable smartphone users in crowded public places. The accused reportedly cheated victims of more than Rs 20 lakh.
Hybrid cyber fraud gang targeted commuters
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police arrested three key members of the interstate syndicate and seized five mobile phones allegedly used in the offences.
According to police, the accused targeted people carrying smartphones in RTC buses, bus stations, railway platforms and crowded junctions.
The gang allegedly used shoulder surfing to observe victims entering their screen-lock PINs, patterns and passwords. They then created distractions and allegedly stole smartphones from pockets or bags.
If the stolen phone could not be unlocked, the accused allegedly answered calls from the victim. They reportedly posed as RTC conductors or drivers, claiming that the phone had been found on a bus.
Under the guise of verifying ownership, the accused allegedly persuaded victims to reveal their screen-lock credentials.
Once inside the phones, the gang allegedly searched galleries, WhatsApp media and other applications for photographs of debit and credit cards, bank passbooks and recorded PINs.
The accused allegedly exploited active SIM cards to access UPI and mobile banking applications. They reportedly intercepted OTPs, reset banking credentials and transferred money from victims’ accounts.
Organised cyber fraud network
Commissioner VC Sajjanar said the gang operated as a structured network. Different members allegedly handled target identification, mobile theft, social engineering, technical exploitation and money laundering.
Police have warned smartphone users to remain alert in crowded places and avoid entering banking credentials or PINs in public view.
The investigation is continuing to establish the full extent of the syndicate’s operations and identify other persons allegedly involved in the fraud.
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