Cyber fraud in the name of chief minister and ministers; Nigerian and north Indian mafia gang behind it, say police

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A huge cyber mafia is behind the cyber fraud that has been carried out in the name of the chief minister and ministers, said the cyber police. The fraud is being conducted by Nigerian and north Indian gangs, police said.

A message was sent to the ministers’ personal staff and others, from fake WhatsApp profiles created in their names, demanding money. Out of suspicion, the officials lodged a complaint with the cyber police. The gang asks for money after starting new WhatsApp accounts with ministers’ profile pictures on it. According to the investigation team, the fraud in the name of the chief minister was centered in West Bengal. However, due to some technical faults, we could not find the fraudsters, said the team.

A WhatsApp message was sent to officials demanding money in the name of the industry minister and finance minister, last day. According to the investigation team, the fraud gang would have obtained the ministers’ phone numbers from the PRD website or any other government sites.