Police officials in Odisha successfully dismantled an inter-state gang involved in a sophisticated operation of stealing mobile phones and manipulating the devices’ SIM cards to siphon money from victims’ bank accounts. The apprehension of eight members of the ‘Pahadi Gang’ marked a significant breakthrough in curbing their fraudulent activities.
Operating with a high level of professionalism, the gang employed individuals to pilfer mobile phones in crowded public places, compensating them with monthly salaries ranging from Rs 10,000 to 15,000. Subsequently, the stolen phones were handed over to the gang’s leader, who skillfully orchestrated online money transfers from the victims’ bank accounts using the SIM cards.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Prateek Singh highlighted that the gang came under police scrutiny following a complaint filed at the Capital police station, detailing a fraud amounting to Rs 14 lakh. The ensuing investigation involved closely monitoring the gang’s movements, a task made challenging due to their decentralized operations and frequent changes of location.
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The modus operandi of the ‘Pahadi Gang’ involved stealing mobile devices in various settings such as public transport, bustling markets, and during festive gatherings, taking advantage of created commotions. Utilizing the stolen SIM cards, they executed online fund transfers, indicating a nationwide operation encompassing multiple states.
In Bhubaneswar alone, nine cases were identified, leading to the confiscation of 22 mobile phones, 25 SIM cards, 20 memory chips, and a sum of Rs 1.3 lakh in cash. The investigation unveiled illegal transactions totaling approximately Rs 20 lakh.
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The authorities continue their investigative efforts to locate other members of the gang and individuals involved in facilitating the gang’s technical operations. The busting of this operation reflects a significant stride in combating organized crime syndicates engaged in digital fraud, assuring efforts to ensure the safety and security of citizens against such fraudulent activities.
