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Bihar Woman Behind ₹4 Crore Cyber Fraud Against Pune Businessman Apprehended

Cyber Police had been tracking Saniya for months. Based on technical analysis of her mobile phone, a team had earlier traced her to Kota, Rajasthan.

Salil Urunkar

Pune: The Cyber Crime Branch of Pune Police has arrested a woman involved in a gang of cyber fraudsters who duped a reputed Pune-based construction businessman of ₹4.06 crore. The arrested woman, Saniya alias Guddiya Muhammad Mustakim Sahab Siddiqui, was apprehended in Gopalganj, Bihar, after evading arrest for several months. Efforts are underway to trace other members of the gang.

How the Fraud Occurred

In February, the businessman was traveling abroad for work when the cybercriminals sent a fraudulent WhatsApp message to his company accountant. Pretending to be the businessman, the message claimed an urgent need for funds and instructed the accountant to transfer money to a specified bank account.

Without verifying the message with his employer, the accountant transferred ₹4.06 crore in multiple installments to the fraudsters. The fraud came to light when the businessman returned to India and discovered the unauthorized transactions, prompting him to file a complaint with the Cyber Crime Branch.

Previous Attempts to Arrest the Accused

Cyber Police had been tracking Saniya for months. Based on technical analysis of her mobile phone, a team had earlier traced her to Kota, Rajasthan. However, she managed to escape from Kota railway station, resulting in the suspension of six police personnel involved in the operation.

Arrest in Bihar

Following her escape, Saniya went into hiding and attempted to conceal her identity. Recently, investigators received information that she was in Delhi. Acting on this tip, a team led by senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (Economic and Cyber Crimes) Vivek Masal and other officers, proceeded to Delhi. With assistance from local police, they began their search in the Jamia Nagar area.

During the investigation, officer Ashwin Kumkar received intelligence that Saniya had moved to Gopalganj, Bihar. Without delay, the team traveled to Bihar despite harsh winter conditions. With help from informants, they located her residence. Upon realizing the police presence, Saniya attempted to flee by jumping from the terrace of her house but was apprehended before she could escape.

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