Cyber Fraud Exposed: Five Arrested for Fake Traffic Violation Scams
Police Uncovers Cyber Fraud Ring
In New Delhi, law enforcement has dismantled an organized group involved in cyber fraud, specifically targeting individuals with fake traffic violation notices. The suspects were sending fraudulent messages to victims' mobile phones, prompting them to make payments for non-existent traffic fines, which allowed the criminals to siphon funds from their bank accounts and credit cards.
The investigation revealed that there have been a total of 544 complaints filed against this gang across the country, with victims losing over ₹10 crores through these scams. According to police reports, the group not only sent fake traffic violation messages but also utilized reward applications to ensnare victims.
Investigation Leads to Arrests
Police officials stated that the investigation began after a complaint was lodged in November 2025 regarding a cyber fraud incident. A victim reported receiving an SMS related to a traffic violation payment, which led to the unauthorized withdrawal of ₹2.21 lakhs from their credit card after clicking a link in the message.
Following this complaint, authorities initiated a technical investigation, identifying a mobile number linked to the fraud, registered under the name of Nitesh Patel from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Further inquiries revealed the involvement of Patel's nephew in the scam, leading to the discovery of a suspicious application named 'Wingo Cash' on his phone.
Fraudulent Messages and Techniques
The investigation uncovered that the application was used to send phishing messages to victims, often incentivizing them with rewards for redeeming offers. During the process, the mobile screen would remain locked for about 30 seconds, allowing the fraudsters to send multiple phishing SMS messages without the user's knowledge.
These messages contained various links, some claiming to facilitate traffic fine payments, while others promised delivery confirmations or reward points. The police have traced approximately 3,300 suspicious SMS messages sent through this network.
International Connections and Financial Trails
The financial investigation revealed that the fraud proceeds were linked to an international bank account. Authorities are now scrutinizing transactions related to this account, uncovering a network of mule accounts used to transfer funds obtained through cybercrime.
In just three days, nearly ₹2 crores were transferred to over 41,000 application users' accounts. The police are currently investigating the roles of individuals involved in these transactions and the broader network behind the fraud.
Arrests Across Multiple States
The police have arrested five individuals in connection with this case, identified as Moti Singh Baghela, Harshpal, Vicky, Vishal Das Vaishnav, and Barjesh Kumar. These suspects were apprehended in various locations, including Mumbai, Lucknow, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Punjab.
Authorities are now interrogating the arrested suspects to determine the extent of the network and the involvement of additional individuals in sending fraudulent SMS messages and managing the stolen funds.
Seizures and Ongoing Investigations
Following the arrests, police recovered a significant amount of digital and financial documents from the suspects' premises, including 15 digital devices, 59 debit cards, and 52 bank passbooks. Additionally, they seized stamps from 14 companies, five POS machines, and eight QR code scanners.
The police have also confiscated a gold chain and a car from the suspects. Investigations into the seized digital devices and banking documents are ongoing to gather more information about other cases related to cyber fraud.
Public Advisory Against Cyber Fraud
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent messages claiming to be related to traffic violations, deliveries, or rewards. They advise individuals to avoid clicking on unknown links received via SMS and to verify any payment requests through official websites or government channels.