Gandhinagar: The Cyber Crime Cell of Gujarat Police has arrested a member of a gang involved in cybercrimes, specifically hacking WhatsApp accounts of school and college girls. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused, from Madhya Pradesh, has defrauded over 100 girls across various states, including Gujarat. Following the arrest, the State Cyber Crime Cell team has launched an intensive investigation and is working to apprehend other members of the gang.

The case began when a complaint was filed on the 1930 helpline, reporting that a hacker had gained access to the victim’s WhatsApp account, contacted her friends, claimed she needed money, and tricked them into sending money on the victim’s behalf. A case was filed at the State Cyber Crime Police Station, and the details of the bank account and mobile number used in the crime were obtained. The police conducted a detailed analysis using IMEI data and CDR, which led them to a suspected number mentioned in open sources as ‘College Fees Fraud.’ Following this, the police intensified the investigation, gathered further details of the suspect’s mobile number, and verified its location.

The suspect’s location was traced to Badra village in Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh. A team from the Cyber Crime Cell, along with local police, traveled to Anuppur, where they arrested the accused, Prabhat Kumar Chhotelal Gupta (residing in Ward No. 03, Badra, Kewat Maholla, Kotma, Anuppur). In his initial interrogation, Gupta admitted to targeting school and college girls, hacking their WhatsApp accounts, and deceiving them. He revealed that he had targeted over 100 girls from various states. Gupta is currently under remand, and further investigation is ongoing.

Items seized from the accused include two mobile phones, two cheque books, eleven SIM cards, two passbooks, and twelve debit cards. DeshGujarat