Six School Dropouts Turn Cybercriminals, Using Java and ChatGPT to Scam ₹11 Crore with Fake Apps!

The six men arrested—Md Mahboob Alam, Safauddin Ansari, Md Aarif Ansari, Jashim Ansari, SK Belal, and Ajay Mandal—are no strangers to the cybercrime world, with several of them having prior records. The police found disturbing evidence of the group’s sophisticated operations, including over 100 malicious apps and control panels used to manage these scams.

Even more concerning is the gang’s use of AI tools like ChatGPT to create and refine their fraudulent apps, demonstrating how advanced technology can be misused for criminal activities. Additionally, police discovered data belonging to over 2,000 Punjab National Bank account holders and 500 from Canara Bank, suggesting that the group was deliberately targeting specific victims.

The police seized a substantial collection of evidence, including 14 mobile phones, 23 SIM cards, 10 ATM cards, a laptop, and more than ₹1 lakh in cash. Additionally, they recovered a DSLR camera and a drone, further revealing the highly organized operations of this cybercrime syndicate.

As cybercrimes continue to rise nationwide, this case highlights the critical need for online awareness. Authorities are advising individuals to exercise caution when receiving unexpected messages or links, particularly those urging the installation of unfamiliar apps. It’s crucial to verify the legitimacy of such communications through official sources before taking any action.

If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to cybercrime, it’s important to report the incident immediately. You can file a complaint through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal or contact the National Cybercrime Helpline at 1930 for assistance.