On Tuesday, police in Faridabad said they’d arrested four men from Patna for supposedly taking over 250,000 rupees from a woman in Faridabad after telling her they’d take her to England. A court has given police five days to hold the accused. The case is another example of increasing cybercrime where criminals exploit the trust people have in messaging apps.
Police believe the group used three bank accounts for the online fraud. Investigators are looking at the money trail and at the different roles people had within the network of accounts and the people in charge of them who are connected to the scam.
Arrests from Patna and custody status
According to the police, the arrests happened on Sunday. The men have been named as Ankit and Ravikant (both from Munger district in Bihar), Bittu (from Jamui district in Bihar), and Akhir Alam (from Araria district in Bihar).
Court officials said the four will be in police custody for five days. They’re being questioned to figure out exactly what they did and to find any proof relating to the transactions and accounts involved.
Here’s a quick look at what’s happened:
– Four people accused were arrested on Sunday
– Police say they were arrested in Patna
– The court has ordered five days of police custody
– Three bank accounts are being investigated
How the alleged scam targeted the victim
The woman from Faridabad told the Cyber Police Station, NIT, that she received a WhatsApp call in January t 2026 from a number starting with 92 that she didn’t know. The person calling pretended to be a friend, got her to trust them, and said they would come to India and take her to England.
Police say the woman was talked into sending over 250,000 rupees to different accounts from February to March 2026. She did this because the caller gave various reasons, supposedly for changing currency and other things.
Investigators say the fraud involved using lots of accounts and made-up reasons for moving money quickly. The woman’s complaint indicates this ‘layering’ helped the caller keep the victim talking and paying into different accounts.
Accounts used and roles alleged
During questioning, the accused said that Bittu, Ravikant and Ankit are friends and all had access to one account where the money was first put. They then supposedly took the money out and put it into an account the fraudster told them to, using a cash deposit machine.
Police say Bittu and Ravikant have a university degree, while Ankit finished Year 12. Akhir Alam, the fourth accused, supposedly managed two other bank accounts used in the fraud and also had access to two accounts. He finished Year t 10. A police spokesperson said all four are being questioned.
Investigation steps and legal process
Based on the woman’s complaint, the Cyber Police Station, NIT, has started a case under the correct parts of the law, police say. The four are being held while investigators look at the accounts and transactions mentioned in the complaint and during questioning.
Police have explained the next steps they’re taking:
– A case has been filed under the appropriate sections of the law
– Three accounts connected to the cybercrime
– The police are questioning people
– Statements from police officials
Why the case matters for cyber safety
Cyber fraud is happening more and more in India, and scammers are using more and more clever ways to cheat people. Law enforcement say they are doing more to fight these crimes and to warn the public about possible scams.
Officials are encouraging people who have been victims of cyber fraud to tell the authorities about it right away. The complaint from Faridabad shows the dangers of getting unexpected WhatsApp calls, being promised trips abroad, and being pressured into sending money to accounts you don’t know.
