Rachakonda: The accused Fidelis Obinna initially came to India on visiting visa has come to know about online frauds through his Nigerian friends, that he can earn easy money through Facebook online friendship by duping as European and other citizens with Indians. In that process, he downloaded many pictures of European males and females from different Facebook accounts and also created several fake Facebook accounts with different names and uploaded those photos/pictures as profile pictures with the intention to cheat the innocent by chatting with fake Facebook accounts. He used to share 10% of fraud amounts to POS person/who swipes the card money into their available accounts and withdraws from nearby ATM centers. He destroys his Phone and SIM card soon after the amount transferred by victims into his targeted accounts. He also started cheating the people in the name of providing jobs, Matrimonial relations, Gift packages, etc. He used to gather the bank account passbooks and ATM/Debit Cards, SIM cards from people with the help of some agents by paying them for each account on regular basis without submitting any documents for making fraudulent calls and transactions.
Fidelis Obinna has been having good contacts with Anil Kumar Pandey who allows Fidelis Obinna to swipe cards to transfer cheated amounts into his available accounts where in turn Fidelis Obinna repays the 10% of the amount as a part of commission towards Anil Kumar Pandey.
Accused Anil Kumar Pandey was born and brought up from Muzaffarpur of Bihar and he studied 4th Class. In the year 2002, he shifted to New Delhi, initially he worked in hotels as a server. From 2012 to 2016 he worked as a security guard at different hotels, Bar and restaurants. During Security guard duty at Bar and restaurants, a few Africans/Nigerians approached and offered him a commission for helping in Debit/Credit card swiping. Initially, Anil Kumar Pandey used to take tips from Africans/Nigerians for helping them in swiping Debit/Credit cards and money withdrawals. In 2017 Anil Kumar Pandey started the business of Debit/Credit cards/POS swiping on the name of KOMAL KIRANA GENERAL STORE at Om Vihar, Phase-V, Uttamnagar, and West Delhi. He procured more than 13 Bank accounts with Cheque books, Debit/Credit cards. He is possessing a total of 19 POS/swiping machines and 65 Debit/Credit Cards. He gains 10% of the money on every transaction through his POS by cyber fraudsters. A case was filed at Cyber Crime Police Station, Rachakonda.
The Police seized the following articles from the possession of the accused. Mobile phones – 04, Cheque books of different bank accounts – 13, Debit/ATM Card – 65, Swiping Machines- 19, Photocopy of passport of the accused issued by the Republic of Nigeria, Debit freeze marked for Rs.6,27,129/- in different bank accounts, Cash of Rs.30,000/
While the investigation is in progress basing on the technical evidence collected, the IO along with the team proceeded to New Delhi and arrested the accused person on 18.07.2021, brought him to Hyderabad on transit warrant, and being produced him before the Hon’ble court for judicial custody.
The Cybercrime Police has issued a caution to the citizens and said citizens should always be cautious and never respond to the friend requests from the strangers who approach through Social Media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, and Emails and not to believe in such Gifts sent on the name Friendship.
Under the direct supervision and leadership of Mr. Mahesh M Bhagwat IPS, Commissioner of Police with the guidance of Mr. P. Yadagiri, DCP Crimes, and Mr. S. Harinath, Asst. Commissioner of Police the case investigated by Inspector Mr. R.Venkatesh of Cyber Crimes and apprehended the accused.
Our Citizen Reporter
B. Bharath Reddy
Telangana
