Data theft

Another news, another digital scam, but this time it’s not just a headline, rather a wake-up call for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, the job market and the ordinary citizens. The recent bust of Jamtara based cyber-fraud syndicate pretending to be Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials involve three youngsters, of which, the main culprit, Niwash Kumar Mandal is a 28-year old B-Tech graduate with a diploma in ethical hacking – the kind of training designed for cybersecurity jobs but often repurposed by those the system leaves behind. Mandal allegedly used his skill set to build a criminal data marketplace by operating a Telegram channel called “Baba Kismatwale.” Through this channel, he sold banking and personal data to cybercriminals operating in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and elsewhere. The operation came to light when a Delhi citizen reported losing ₹2 lakh after downloading a malicious “DJB app.” Victims received WhatsApp messages threatening water supply disconnection, tricking them into installing a file called “दिल्ली जल बोर्ड V4.apk.” Once installed, the malware quietly captured their banking credentials — and the money began flowing out. When Mumbai-based fraud analysts followed the money trail, the investigation traced the digital operation back to Jamtara, Jharkhand — a place already notorious for cyber scams. What makes this case different, though, is the level of sophistication — malware-laden apps, money laundering through fuel cards, and a Telegram-based marketplace. Young, tech-skilled individuals exist in every corner of the country, but so do gaps in cybersecurity jobs, weak inter-state coordination and low public digital awareness.  As long as this imbalance continues, cybercrime hubs will keep thriving. In India’s rapidly changing digital landscape, this case reminds us of the modern day truth – The most dangerous tap isn’t the one in your kitchen. It’s the one you click. Stay alert, stay safe!