The Hyderabad Police have arrested a group of cybercriminals involved in a scheme to purchase electric two-wheelers using hacked personal information and bank credentials of unsuspecting victims. The Commissioner’s Task Force, South-East Zone Team, along with the Malakpet Police, apprehended three individuals: Baqar (45), Tanveer (53), and Sachin (48). The police seized a total of 28 TVS iQube electric scooters valued at Rs 44.8 lakh from the accused.
According to police reports, Baqar, Jaffer, and Tanveer were struggling financially due to losses in their second-hand vehicle business. In search of new opportunities, they partnered with Sachin, who aimed to start a different business. Together, they devised a fraudulent plan to acquire electric vehicles through financing, using the personal ID proofs of innocent and often uneducated individuals.
Their modus operandi involved persuading victims to provide their identity documents in exchange for a small sum of money. The accused promised to cover the finance installments for the purchased vehicles. After obtaining the scooters, they sold them to unsuspecting buyers at reduced prices, falsely claiming that the vehicles were seized by finance companies and that they had cleared any outstanding dues.
Through this fraudulent scheme, the group managed to acquire 27 TVS iQube and Suzuki Burgman scooters from various showrooms and finance companies. These vehicles were then sold to customers under the pretense of having legal clearance.
The police investigation revealed that the group specifically targeted acquaintances, friends, and family members to obtain their ID proofs for the fraudulent purchases. Following the arrests, authorities seized the stolen vehicles and are continuing to investigate to trace additional accomplices and victims involved in the scam.
The police have urged the public to remain vigilant about sharing personal information and to report any suspicious activity to help prevent such frauds.