Assam gang dupes scammers behind Chinese loan app scheme; arrested by Mumbai crime branch

The 5 accused in crime branch custody

The scammers behind the Chinese loan app scheme, exploiting and harassing thousands of Indians by posing as easy loan providers, faced retribution from a group in Assam. Using counterfeit Aadhaar and PAN cards, they duped loan apps, pocketing substantial amounts. Held by the West Region Cyber Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch, the individuals admitted that their inspiration came from a case involving people deceived by loan app operators.

In the last year alone around 140 individuals have been arrested by the local police. Representation pic

Initially, they secured small loans through forged documents, starting at Rs 5000 to 15000. As they progressed, they targeted NBFCs (Non-Banking Finance Company), managing to secure loans ranging from Rs 10 lakh to one crore using falsified paperwork.

Five arrested

Five members of the group fell into the Cyber Cell's web, operating from their homes in Assam. "Equipped with tools to forge documents, they targeted fake loan app providers initially," said an officer. Authorities disclosed that similar groups operate in Assam's Mori Gaon and Nagaon districts. They gather data from the dark net and modify Aadhar and PAN cards to secure loans. Equipped with the necessary tools, they manipulate photographs and secure funds, dispersing them across multiple accounts.

16k loan applications in a day

A staggering 16,000 loan applications flooded U GRO CAPITAL on June 18 with an estimated amount exceeding a thousand crore, causing system overload, but before the system could malfunction, loans worth around Rs 1 crore to 303 accounts were sanctioned. The NBFC noticed anomalies and reported 303 suspicious accounts to the Cyber Cell.

1 cr loan in 6 mins

During the investigation, officers discovered that the culprits managed to manipulate the system to disburse Rs 1 crore in six minutes, triggering system alarms and causing it to malfunction. Identifying the perpetrators in Assam, a team consisting of PSI Deepak Tayde, PSI Vijay Ghodpade, Constable Deepak Padalkar, Vikas Kenjale, and Ganesh Dere was dispatched to the location.

Scamster operates alone

Sub-inspector Rahul Khetre played a crucial role in the operation in Assam. The team stationed themselves for nearly three days, successfully arresting all five accused from their separate residences located 5-6 kilometres apart. "The operation was challenging, but the assistance of the local residents and the local police helped us track them down," mentioned an officer.

Another Jamtara in making?

According to the cyber cell, during their stay in Nagaon and Mori Gaon districts, they observed patterns similar to Jamtara in Jharkhand. The local police reported that in the last year alone they have arrested around 140 individuals for cyber fraud targeting various NBFCs including L&T Finance. ASI Adit Boro of Dingh police station in Assam first uncovered the scam. The Cyber Cell seized numerous credit and debit cards, hundreds of Aadhar and PAN cards, documents, machines, and cameras from the accused. These 10th-grade graduates led opulent lives in rural Assam, constructing houses, purchasing motorcycles, and some even buying four-wheelers.

NBFCs unaware

Apps from NBFCs like Aditya Birla and IILF were found on the accused's phones. It is suspected that these institutions might be unaware of the fraudulent loans sanctioned.

16k
No of loan applications made in a day on June 18

303
No of suspicious bank accounts reported