Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Developer Arrested in Alleged Nationwide APK Cyber Fraud
Mumbai police arrested a software developer in Madhya Pradesh.
Police say he made and sold harmful Android app files to cybercrime groups.
They allege the files were used to cheat thousands of people across India.
The reported losses are more than Rs 15.75 crore.
The investigation began when a 72-year-old Mumbai resident said he lost Rs 5.62 lakh.
He was reportedly persuaded to install an app sent through WhatsApp.
Police say the apps are connected to more than a thousand complaints.
They seized computers, storage devices, a router and phones from an office.
Police are still investigating and looking for other people involved.
Mumbai Crime Branch arrested a Madhya Pradesh-based software developer accused of creating and selling malicious APK files.
Police allege 2,805 APK files were supplied to cybercrime gangs and used to defraud 9,673 people across India.
The linked complaints indicate estimated losses of more than Rs 15.75 crore.
The investigation began after a 72-year-old Mumbai resident allegedly lost Rs 5.62 lakh on August 13 after installing an APK sent via WhatsApp.
Police say the apps were linked to 1,074 cyber-helpline complaints and 88 formal FIRs nationwide; one report also describes 88 identified cases, including eight in Maharashtra and five in Mumbai.
- Who
- Mumbai Crime Branch arrested a 36-year-old software developer from Madhya Pradesh; one report identifies him as Pankaj Gupta and gives his age as 35.
- What
- An alleged cyber fraud involving malicious APK files used to defraud people across India.
- When
- The victim's reported loss occurred on August 13; reports are dated October 5, with one specifying 2026.
- Where
- The arrest and office raid were in Madhya Pradesh; reported victims were across India.
- Why
- Police pursued the case after a 72-year-old Mumbai resident reported losing Rs 5.62 lakh through an APK-based fraud.
Police Allegations
Investigation Status
Alleged role of the developer
Police Allegations
Police allege the developer created and sold 2,805 malicious APK files that cybercrime gangs used to defraud people.
Investigation Status
The reports describe allegations and an ongoing investigation; they do not provide a response from the accused or report a court finding.
Scale of registered cases
Police Allegations
One report says 88 formal FIRs had been registered across India.
Investigation Status
Another says police identified 88 cases, including eight in Maharashtra and five in Mumbai; the reports use different descriptions of the 88.
- Accused
- A Madhya Pradesh-based software developer; one report names him as Pankaj Gupta and calls him 35, while reports otherwise state he was 36.
- Malicious APK files
- 2,805 allegedly created and sold, according to police.
- People allegedly defrauded
- 9,673 across India.
- Estimated linked losses
- More than Rs 15.75 crore.
- Triggering complaint
- A 72-year-old Mumbai resident reported losing Rs 5.62 lakh on August 13.
- Cyber-helpline complaints
- 1,074 nationwide, including 143 in Maharashtra and 36 in Mumbai.
- Formal FIRs or cases
- One report says 88 formal FIRs were registered nationwide; another describes 88 identified cases, including eight in Maharashtra and five in Mumbai.
- Items seized
- A CPU, three hard disks, a pen drive, a Wi-Fi router and three mobile phones.
