In a major breakthrough against cybercrime, Surat Police have arrested a teenage school dropout from Uttar Pradesh for allegedly developing 121 fake mobile applications that were used in cyber frauds amounting to more than ₹64 crore across the country.
The accused, identified as Rohit Virendrasinh Shakya, was arrested after investigators found a fake PNB One banking application linked to a fraud complaint by a Surat resident who lost ₹5 lakh. The investigators identified a vast phishing network targeting thousands of smartphone users by impersonating trusted banking and government service apps, according to sources, the chief police said.
Fake apps mimicked banks and government services
According to police, Shakya created fraudulent applications that resembled popular banking platforms like State Bank of India (SBI) and Punjab National Bank (PNB), as well as government service apps like PM-Kisan.
The fake applications were designed to steal user information such as login credentials, one-time passwords (OTPs), and personal information. Once installed, they allowed cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to victims’ bank accounts and carry out financial fraud.
Over 21,000 Phones Targeted
For the fraud, the fake apps were installed on 21,672 mobile phones, which enabled more than 54,000 fraudulent transactions. The total worth of the scams is said to be above ₹64 crore, which is one of the biggest phishing app operations in recent months.
Police said the accused sold the fake apps to cybercrime syndicates in Jamtara (Jharkhand), Haryana, and Rajasthan. He charged ₹15,000 upfront for each app and also collected monthly fees for maintenance and updates.
Arrested in Kanpur
Surat Police tracked Shakya to a hotel in Kanpur where he was meeting his girlfriend. He’s in custody and is being interviewed to find other members of the cybercrime network and see the extent of the operation.
Investigators are also looking for other suspects involved in the distribution and use of the fraudulent apps and in financial transactions, digital infrastructure, and communication records.
A Growing Cybersecurity Concern
The case highlights the increasing sophistication of phishing scams and the ease with which fake applications can be used to deceive unsuspecting users. It also underscores the growing involvement of self-taught programmers in cybercrime.
Cybersecurity experts advise users to only download apps from official app stores, verify the developer’s identity, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and never share OTPs or banking credentials with anyone. Authorities continue to urge citizens to remain vigilant as digital fraud becomes more advanced and widespread.
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