Delhi Police have busted a cyber gang operating the 'Baba Kismatwale' Telegram channel. The main accused, Niwas Kumar Mandal, used to sell people's private data to fraudsters across the country. Police have arrested the accused from West Bengal.
New Delhi: The Cyber Cell of Delhi Police has unearthed a major cyber fraud syndicate that operated a Telegram channel named ‘Baba Kismatwale’, selling private data of common people to fraudsters nationwide. The kingpin of this gang, Niwas Kumar Mandal, has been arrested by the police from West Bengal. The accused is a B.Tech graduate trained in cybersecurity, who was earning significant sums by selling data to professional fraudsters.
Cyber Fraud Network Spread Through Telegram Channel
Delhi Police investigation revealed that the accused, Niwas Mandal, created a Telegram channel named ‘Baba Kismatwale’ in 2024. Through this channel, he sold sensitive data of bank customers, electricity department employees, and government institution staff to fraudsters.
Fraudsters who purchased the data used this information to send phone calls and messages to people. They were lured into downloading fake apps under the guise of government schemes, bill payments, or cashback offers. This channel provided a network of data to cyber fraudsters across the country.
People Defrauded in the Name of Delhi Jal Board
According to the police, the gang used to empty people's bank accounts by making them download a fake mobile app named Delhi Jal Board V4.apk. The accused would send messages to victims instructing them to download the new Jal Board app and make bill payments. As soon as people downloaded the app, their banking data was hacked.
In a similar manner, a person in Delhi was defrauded of ₹2 lakh. When the police investigated the cyber transactions, their links were traced to Jamtara and West Bengal. It was from these locations that gang members made fraudulent calls to entrap people.
Police Seize Mobile Phones, Laptops, and ATM Cards
Police recovered 9 mobile phones, one MacBook, one iPad, 5 ATM cards, 3 chequebooks, and ₹47,800 in cash from Niwas Mandal. Additionally, Hindustan Petroleum Drive Track Plus cards, used by the gang to transfer defrauded money, were also found.
Niwas Mandal holds a diploma in cybersecurity and has previously been involved in four cybercrimes. Police have also arrested his accomplice, Pradyumna Mandal, a resident of Jharkhand, while a minor involved in the gang has been taken into custody.
Further Police Investigation Underway
Delhi Police stated that this gang was operating an organized network of cybercrimes, with branches spread across Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Delhi. The accused used to sell stolen data in the online market, providing it to fraudsters.
Currently, the police are conducting raids to search for other members of the gang. Officials state that a digital forensic investigation has been initiated to dismantle this network completely. This operation is being considered one of the recent major achievements of the Delhi Police Cyber Cell.
