Jamtara Police Bust Fake APK and PhonePe Cashback Fraud Gang, Rs 8.13 Lakh Seized
Jamtara Police arrested three cyber fraudsters who posed as credit card helpdesks and sent fake PhonePe Rs 1,999 cashback messages to trick victims into installing a fake APK app. Police seized Rs 8.13 lakh in cash, eight mobile phones and six fake SIM cards. Two of the accused have earlier cyber fraud charge-sheets. A team led by DSP (Cyber) Amit Ravidas carried out raids at Borowa and Kashitand.
Jamtara Police in Jharkhand have arrested three cyber fraudsters who allegedly lured victims into installing a fake app by posing as credit card helpdesks and sending bogus PhonePe cashback messages. Police seized Rs 8,13,000 in cash, eight mobile phones and six fake SIM cards.
Superintendent of Police Shambhu Kumar Singh (IPS) announced the arrests at a press conference at the Cyber Police Station on 5 November 2026. Police said the raids followed secret information received by the SP. All three accused have been sent to judicial custody.
The Accused
- Bablu Ansari (22), of Borowa village, Narayanpur police station area
- Pappu Mandal (25), of Kashitand village, Karmatand police station area
- Prakash Kumar Mandal (28), of Kashitand village, Karmatand police station area
Police said Pappu Mandal and Prakash Kumar Mandal are repeat accused. Both have already been charge-sheeted in earlier Jamtara Cyber Police Station cases, 33/25 and 09/25 respectively. Police said the gang targeted victims in several states.
How the Fraud Worked
According to police, the accused used two methods:
- Fake credit card support: They called victims offering to resolve credit card problems, then sent them a fake APK file of an app (named "Rumyee App" in media reports). Once installed, the app gave them access to information on the victim's phone, which they used to commit fraud.
- Fake PhonePe cashback: They sent messages claiming a Rs 1,999 cashback on PhonePe and asked victims to "accept" it. Victims who followed the instructions were defrauded through the fake app.
The Raids
A special team led by DSP (Cyber) Amit Ravidas first raided Bablu Ansari's premises at Borowa, recovering Rs 8.13 lakh in cash and four mobile phones. Acting on his interrogation, the team arrested Pappu Mandal and Prakash Kumar Mandal near a mango orchard at Kashitand and seized four more phones.
Cases have been registered as Cyber Crime Police Station Case Nos. 71/26 and 72/26, dated 4 November 2026, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Information Technology Act and the Telecommunications Act 2023.
The Raiding Team
- DSP (Cyber) Amit Ravidas, team leader
- Inspector Rajesh Mandal, Officer-in-Charge, Cyber Police Station
- Inspector Anil Abhishek
- Inspector Amit Kumar
- Sub-Inspector Hiralal Mahto
- Sub-Inspector Kundan Kumar Verma
SP Shambhu Kumar Singh said the drive against cyber criminals will continue.
Stay Safe
- Never install APK files sent over calls, SMS or WhatsApp. Download apps only from official app stores.
- Banks and card issuers do not ask customers to install apps to resolve card issues.
- PhonePe and other UPI apps never require you to "accept" a payment or enter a PIN to receive cashback.
- Report cyber fraud on 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in.