A father and son have been apprehended in Patna in connection with a significant cyber fraud case involving the security personnel of BJP National President Nitin Nabin. The duo allegedly defrauded the security guard of one lakh rupees by creating a fake customer care number on Google. This arrest, a result of a joint operation by the Delhi Police and Bihar Special Task Force (STF), highlights the growing sophistication of online scammers targeting individuals across the country.

What Happened?

The incident dates back to February when the security personnel, who was then assigned to Nitin Nabin when he was the BJP's Executive President, ordered an item online. Upon receiving a defective product, the security guard sought to return it. He searched on Google for the company's customer care contact number, inadvertently finding a fraudulent number planted by the cybercriminals. When he called this number, the accused, identified as Arvind Bharti and his son Sunny Kumar, residents of Mohri Bagicha in Maner, cunningly tricked him into transferring one lakh rupees into their bank account under various pretexts.

Realizing he had been duped, the security personnel promptly filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Cyber Police Station Central in Delhi. The Delhi Police initiated a technical investigation, which led them to uncover that the cyber fraudsters were operating from Maner, Patna. On May 13th, a three-member team from Delhi Cyber Police Station Central, including Sub-Inspector Kapil and Investigating Officer Manoj, arrived in Maner to pursue the case. However, they discovered that the accused had sold their house in Maner and moved elsewhere. Through local inquiries, the police managed to obtain an old contact number for the fraudsters.

Following this crucial lead, the Bihar STF and the Delhi Police team collaborated to track the mobile location of the father-son duo. This joint effort culminated in their arrest from the Karbighaiya area, falling under the jurisdiction of the Jakkanpur police station in Patna, on Saturday. Further investigations revealed that Arvind Bharti and Sunny Kumar had engaged in similar fraudulent activities, duping people from various other states out of lakhs of rupees. They were presented before a Delhi court on Sunday and subsequently sent to judicial custody, with the Delhi Police taking them on transit remand.

Key Highlights

A father-son duo, Arvind Bharti and Sunny Kumar, was arrested in Patna for cyber fraud.
The accused defrauded a security personnel of BJP National President Nitin Nabin of one lakh rupees.
The fraud occurred in February when the victim sought to return a defective online purchase.
Scammers used a fake customer care number placed on Google to trick the victim into transferring money.
The investigation involved the Delhi Cyber Police and Bihar Special Task Force (STF) in a joint operation.
The fraudsters, originally from Maner, Patna, were traced to the Karbighaiya area after moving homes.
The arrested duo is suspected of defrauding numerous other individuals in various states for large sums.

Why Does This Matter?

This incident serves as a crucial reminder for the public about the persistent and evolving threat of cyber fraud. The ease with which criminals can manipulate online information, such as creating fake customer care numbers on search engines, poses a significant risk to anyone seeking assistance online. It underscores the importance of exercising extreme caution and verifying contact details through official company websites or trusted sources, rather than relying solely on search engine results that can be easily manipulated by fraudsters. Even individuals in security roles, typically known for their vigilance, can fall victim to such sophisticated scams, highlighting the universal vulnerability.

Moreover, the successful inter-state collaboration between the Delhi Police and Bihar STF in apprehending the culprits is vital. It demonstrates that law enforcement agencies are adapting to tackle cross-jurisdictional cybercrimes, offering a glimmer of hope in the fight against digital illicit activities. For common people, this news emphasizes the need for digital literacy and awareness to protect their finances and personal information. Always double-check URLs, avoid clicking suspicious links, and be wary of requests for personal banking details or one-time passwords over the phone, especially from unsolicited calls or numbers found on less credible sources.