The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) successfully dismantled a complex cybercrime operation based in Mira Road, Thane, leading to the arrest of two key perpetrators. The accused, identified as brothers Mohammad Iqbal Balasaheb (47) and Shine Iqbal Balasaheb (42), were the masterminds behind a fraudulent scheme that targeted unsuspecting individuals across the country. This operation highlights a growing trend of “digital arrest” scams, where criminals impersonate authority figures to intimidate and extort victims.
The gang’s method was both elaborate and deceptive, leveraging technology to create a convincing illusion of a legitimate investigation. They would initially contact victims under a benign pretext, such as representing a logistics company, before escalating the situation dramatically. Posing as high-ranking officers from various law enforcement agencies like the police or narcotics branch, they used deepfake technology, manipulated official documents, and conducted fake video calls to accuse victims of fabricated crimes, thereby pressuring them into paying large sums to clear their names.
The investigation that ultimately exposed the racket was initiated following a complaint filed on April 6 by Dr. BN Singh, a senior academic. Dr. Singh reported receiving a suspicious WhatsApp call from an individual named Deepak Kumar Srivastava, who claimed to be from a non-existent logistics company. This initial report served as the crucial thread that allowed the STF to begin unraveling the widespread criminal enterprise.
Led by ASP Vishal Vikram Singh, the STF employed a combination of advanced cyber forensic tools and traditional human intelligence to trace the source of the fraudulent calls. The meticulous investigation pinpointed the suspects’ location to their residence on Mira Road. The subsequent raid led to the successful arrest of the Balasaheb brothers, effectively neutralizing their base of operations.
During the arrest, the STF recovered a significant amount of evidence that underscored the scale of the scam. The seized items included three mobile phones, two laptops, seven pen drives, three hard disks, six ATM cards, and two Aadhaar cards. This successful operation serves as a critical blow to cybercriminals who exploit technology to prey on citizens and highlights the increasing capability of law enforcement to combat such sophisticated digital threats.
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