A city-based businessman looking to install solar plants was defrauded twice by cybercriminals, losing a total of Rs1.62 crore. The victim initially lost Rs1.5 crore to a fraudulent online group and then an additional Rs12.5 lakh to a second gang posing as legal aid providers.
The businessman came across an offer online in February to install solar power plants and transferred Rs1.5 crore in phases. Realizing he had been duped, he searched for legal help and found a firm named Quickmoto Legal Service online. Hoping to recover his lost money, he paid Rs12.5 lakh to the firm — only to discover that it was also a scam.
Acting on his complaint, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) arrested Tufail Ahmed alias Chota Ahmed Mubarak, 27, of Kothanur, Tamil Nadu, on Sunday. Tufail, an engineering graduate in electronics and communication, had set up a fake legal call center under the name India Legal Service at a rented house in Kasturinagar, East Bengaluru.
According to police, the gang used VoIP technology via Zoiper-5 to contact victims, offering fraudulent promises of financial recovery. Tufail’s elder brother, based in Dubai, is said to be the kingpin behind the operations. Several fake companies were reportedly created to conduct online scams.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh confirmed the arrest, noting that more arrests, including tele-callers, are likely. The case was cracked by Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ajay Hilori and DCP Raja Imam Kasim.
Police warn the public to verify legal services and business offers through official channels to avoid falling prey to such well-organized cybercrime syndicates.
