Nagpur: The Nagpur cyber cell has uncovered a ₹200 crore fraud in which around five lakh people across the country were allegedly duped through the ‘Mast Money App’, also known as the Soft Money App.Police arrested a software engineer from Bhopal, believed to be a key member of the syndicate. Investigators said he developed the mobile application, which lured users with promises of instant loans of up to ₹15,000.Once downloaded, the application allegedly gained extensive access to users’ mobile phones, enabling the gang to obtain personal information, contact lists, photographs and other sensitive data.Instead of disbursing the promised loan amount, the accused allegedly extorted between ₹25,000 and ₹50,000 from users. Those who refused to pay were allegedly threatened with the public disclosure of their personal information and photographs on social media platforms. Two Nagpur residents have lodged complaints with the cyber cell after facing similar harassment.Police sources said the racket had been operating for the last eight months and targeted users across India while masking its activities through virtual private networks (VPNs).Following the registration of an FIR under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and sections related to cheating and fraud, a Nagpur police team traced the operation to Bhopal and arrested the software engineer. He was subsequently brought to Nagpur for further interrogation.Investigators have found that more than five lakh people downloaded the application. The cyber cell is now working to identify other members of the syndicate and has appealed to affected users to come forward. Police have also urged citizens to verify the authenticity of financial applications before sharing personal, banking or other sensitive information.
