New Delhi Police‘s Crime Branch has uncovered a major organised Cyber Fraud gang impersonating officers of Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL). The interstate cell successfully dismantled the gang’s module, arresting three key accused involved in the scam.
The suspects reportedly called victims claiming to be IGL representatives. They used intimidation or lure tactics to convince people to install a malicious mobile application (APK file). Through this app, the fraudsters gained access to victims’ bank accounts and sensitive personal data, enabling them to siphon off money or transfer funds fraudulently.
Three main accused arrested include Bikki Mandal alias Vicky (22) from Asansol, West Bengal; Sumit Kumar Singh (26) from Jamtara, Jharkhand; and Rajeev Kumar Mandal (22) also from Jamtara, Jharkhand. A case has been registered under sections 318(4), 319, and 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code at the crime branch police station in Delhi.
In one instance, the gang defrauded a 61-year-old retired army officer. The accused, posing as an IGL official, persuaded the victim to install a fake app that resulted in a loss of ₹91,449. Investigations revealed the gang used multiple devices and SIM cards. Nine mobile phones were seized during the arrests, seven of which contained fake apps impersonating reputed organisations like IGL, SBI, RTO Challan, and Tata Power, as established through digital forensic analysis.
Police further disclosed that the accused are linked to 35 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRCP), indicating their habitual involvement in cybercrime. Bikki Mandal was previously implicated in a cyber fraud case in Asansol, while Sumit Kumar Singh has prior FIRs related to fraud and serious offences in Jharkhand. Rajeev Kumar Mandal was also actively involved along with the other accused.
Adity Gautam, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch), stated that the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are conducting an in-depth digital trail analysis to identify more victims, recover defrauded sums, and apprehend additional members of the gang. The police have urged the public not to install apps from unknown callers and to immediately report suspicious calls to 1930.
