Jamtara man arrested for ‘duping’ Chandigarh residents with fake Adani Gas disconnection threats

A 23-year-old man from Jharkhand's Jamtara, identified as Bimal Kumar Mandal, alias Vidur, has been arrested by the Chandigarh Police for allegedly duping Chandigarh residents with fake Adani Gas disconnection threats. The accused posed as an Adani Gas representative, contacted customers through WhatsApp messages and calls, and sent them malicious APK files to gain unauthorized access to their mobile phones.

After obtaining access to the devices, Mandal allegedly carried out unauthorized transactions through debit cards, credit cards, and UPI, causing financial losses to victims, estimated at around Rs 6 lakh. The case was registered under Sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Cyber Crime police station in Sector 17.

Police suspect that Mandal obtained Adani Gas customer data and malicious APK files from a person through Telegram, and used this information to target victims. The investigation has also raised suspicions about the involvement of an insider employee of Adani Gas, who allegedly provided customer data to the accused. Mandal has been sent to judicial custody after completion of five days of police remand, and further investigation is underway to identify and arrest other persons allegedly involved in the cyber-fraud network.

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