Nagpur: In a major breakthrough, the Nagpur Cyber Police have busted an interstate cyber fraud racket operating through the fake instant loan application ‘Mast Money’, arresting a key accused from Berasia in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The accused allegedly extorted money from victims by issuing small instant loans and then blackmailing them with morphed obscene photographs.
The action was taken in connection with Cyber Police Station, Nagpur City Crime No. 89/2026, registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, including Sections 66(C), 66(D), 66(E), 67 and 67(A).
Victim Trapped Through Fake RBI-Registered Loan App
According to the police, the complainant downloaded the ‘Mast Money’ instant loan application from the Google Play Store. The accused falsely projected the app as being RBI-registered and sent forged documents to gain the victim’s confidence.
After the complainant uploaded personal details including an Aadhaar card, PAN card and photograph, the app approved a small loan. Subsequently, the accused allegedly created morphed obscene images of the victim and threatened to circulate them on social media and send them to relatives unless money was paid. The victim was allegedly subjected to financial extortion and continuous harassment.
Technical Analysis Leads Police to Madhya Pradesh
During the investigation, Nagpur Cyber Police carried out detailed technical analysis of the application and established a direct digital link to the accused.
With the approval of senior officers, a police team travelled to Berasia, Bhopal, where they arrested Kamil Siddiqui (31), son of Hamid Siddiqui, a resident of Ward No. 6, Kazipura, Berasia, Bhopal.
Police also seized devices allegedly used in the cyber crime, including:
- OnePlus Nord 2 5G smartphone with two SIM cards (estimated value: ₹40,000)
- Dell Latitude 5420 laptop containing software including Skin Win Chat and ToDesk Remote Access (estimated value: ₹60,000)
The total value of the seized property is ₹1 lakh.
Telegram Groups, Bank Accounts Under Scanner
Investigators have recovered details of the accused’s Telegram groups, bank accounts and UPI transactions. Police said efforts are underway to identify other members and masterminds of the interstate cyber fraud network.
The seized mobile phone and laptop will be sent to the forensic science laboratory for detailed examination.
Over 5.32 Lakh Downloads Across India
During the investigation, information received from Google revealed that the Mast Money application had been downloaded and installed by approximately 5.32 lakh users across India.
Police found that around 2.98 lakh users later uninstalled the application after realising it had been created for fraudulent purposes. However, nearly 2.34 lakh users still had the app installed on their devices.
Following confirmation that the application was developed to facilitate fraud, Google removed Mast Money from the Play Store.
Police Estimate Fraud Prevention Worth ₹234 Crore
Nagpur Cyber Police said the removal of the app has prevented a large-scale cyber fraud. Based on available information, if the average loss per victim is estimated at ₹10,000, the continued installation of the app on 2.34 lakh devices could have resulted in potential fraud worth nearly ₹234 crore.
Investigation Team
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Senior Police Inspector Sudhir Borkute, with Senior Police Inspector Suresh Dambre, PSI Krishna Khebde, PSI Akash Bhairat, police personnel Ashish Khope, Parth Shukla, Rinkesh Thakur, Police Guard Vinod Tondphode, Abhinay Japulkar, and Umesh Borhade playing key roles in the successful investigation.
