In a recent development, Pimpri Chinchwad cyber investigators uncovered a sophisticated shadow network operating in Pune, connected to a Cambodia-based cyber syndicate. The investigation began when the investigators were looking into the online activities of a mule account handler and stumbled upon a series of hotel bookings and intercity courier orders in the city.
As the probe deepened, following the arrest of six key operatives, details emerged on how this shadow network functioned in Pune. The investigation initially began with a share trading scam in early January, leading to the discovery of a mule bank account receiving large sums of money. The account holder, a chakhna seller named Shubham Londhe, was found to be managing the account. It was revealed that Londhe had connections with a top-tier handler operating under the pseudonym Sam David, who was overseeing a network of mule accounts and collaborating with international cyber criminals in Cambodia.
The elusive Sam David, whose real name is Sambidhkumar Shripati Nayak, was finally apprehended on January 23 after using multiple phone numbers and constantly changing his location. Nayak, a 22-year-old resident of Rourkela in Odisha, had initially moved to Maharashtra with aspirations of joining the Bollywood industry but eventually got involved with cyber criminals he met in party circles.
Further investigation uncovered a systematic operation within the shadow network, where mule handlers were tasked with booking hotel rooms in different parts of Pune, categorized as ‘premium’ and ‘economy’ based on the economic status of the mule. These handlers were then required to surrender the entire kit of the account, including the linked SIM card, debit card, and cheque book. The cyber criminals also deployed gatekeepers to prevent the mules from backing out during operations, ensuring the smooth execution of their illicit activities.
Additionally, the network utilized intercity couriers to transport bank account kits between different racketeers, who would then use the SIM cards to transfer money from the mule accounts to the masterminds in Cambodia. The constant movement of phones used to access the mule accounts was another tactic employed to evade detection and maintain the operation’s security.
Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinoykumar Choubey commended the efforts of the cyber investigators in dismantling this vast network of mule accounts and emphasized the ongoing probe into the Cambodia syndicate and its associated shadow outfits. The arrests of Sam David and his accomplices shed light on the intricate modus operandi of the cyber syndicate, prompting authorities to intensify their scrutiny of such criminal activities.
The uncovering of this intricate shadow network highlights the sophisticated nature of cybercrime operations and the need for continuous vigilance and investigation to combat such illicit activities effectively. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and cyber investigators remain crucial in exposing and disrupting these criminal networks, safeguarding individuals and businesses from financial fraud and cybersecurity threats.