In a significant breakthrough, 29-year-old Isaki Thevar, a resident of Vashi, has been arrested by the Pimpri Chinchwad cyber police for his role in a widespread fake loan app scam that spans across India. Authorities believe Thevar was operating on the instructions of a cybercrime ring based in Singapore.
Thevar, a loan recovery agent, was allegedly involved in cheating and blackmailing thousands of individuals through at least eight fake loan applications, police confirmed. The apps, disguised as legitimate financial platforms, reportedly accessed victims’ phone data and used coercion tactics to extract money.
A team led by Senior Inspector Ravikiran Nale apprehended Thevar from Mumbai last week. In the raid, police recovered five laptops, seven SIM cards, and a mobile phone, all of which are being examined for further evidence.
Assistant Police Inspector Pravin Swami explained that Thevar’s role included helping his foreign handlers obtain operational permissions for the fraudulent apps by uploading fake documents, including forged RBI approvals. The apps were then distributed via links sent to Indian mobile numbers, enabling the criminals to gain access to private user data.
The scam has triggered over 10,000 complaints nationwide, making it one of the largest reported loan fraud schemes in India. Investigations are ongoing to trace additional accomplices and identify all individuals affected.
