Meerut, Nov. 4 -- In a major breakthrough, the Baghpat Police busted a large-scale cyber fraud racket and arrested five criminals here on Monday. The accused hacked mobile phones through WhatsApp and siphoned off money from victims' bank accounts. The gang allegedly duped people of nearly Rs.50 lakh across western Uttar Pradesh by sending malicious APK (Android Package Kit) files disguised as attractive financial offers. Superintendent of police (SP) Suraj Kumar Rai said the accused were operating a sophisticated fraud network that targeted unsuspecting users by offering fake loan schemes and lucrative deals. "The gang used to send APK files via WhatsApp. As soon as the recipient opened the file, they gained remote access to the phone and drained money from the linked bank accounts," he explained. The arrested accused have been identified as Shiva (resident of Jeevana, Ramala), Vansh (resident of Baraut), Vijay (resident of Ghaziabad), Neeraj (resident of Ghaziabad), and Pushpendra (resident of Ranchad). All five were part of an organised cyber network active in Baghpat and nearby districts. During the operation, police recovered eight iPhones, nine Android phones, seven debit cards, Rs.30,000 in cash, a canteen smart card, and two vehicles from their possession. Officials said the seized devices contained crucial data revealing how the gang conducted its fraudulent transactions. The investigation began after a complaint by Kamalkant Bhardwaj, a resident of Baraut, who reported that Rs.2.5 lakh was siphoned off from his bank account after he opened an APK file sent via WhatsApp on October 14. Acting on this lead, the cybercrime unit tracked digital footprints and successfully traced the gang. According to SP Rai, the accused were involved in at least six separate incidents and had been operating similar scams in different parts of the region. "They were using advanced hacking tools and social engineering tactics to manipulate victims. Some of them already have criminal cases pending against them," he added. Commending the swift and coordinated effort of the cybercrime unit, SP Rai announced a Rs.25,000 cash reward for the team that cracked the case. He also urged citizens to remain vigilant against digital fraud. "Do not open any PDF or APK file received from unknown numbers, no matter how tempting the offer appears," SP Rai cautioned. "In case of any suspected fraud, immediately report it to the cybercrime helpline." Investigations are underway to trace other members and financial beneficiaries linked to the racket....