Dating app scam: ‘Kingpin Krishanu Acharyya used bulk SMS machine to send messages to 512 contacts at one go’, say Chandigarh Police

The modus operandi

The police disclosed that the accused sent bulk SMSes and upon receiving messages, the customers were called back for further processing.

A source privy to the investigation said, “Krishannu Acharyya had employed six women to engage individuals in seductive conversations. He paid the women monthly salaries and incentives. These women would demand money from the customers and make them deposit the same into three accounts belonging to Acharyya.”

Acharyya, a BTech graduate in Computer Science from Kolkata, was arrested for cheating a retired colonel of the Indian Army residing in Sector 48 of Chandigarh. The retired Armyman was duped of Rs 16.5 lakh.

The complainant, in the FIR, stated that he had downloaded three dating apps, paid in advance to chat with potential partners and was asked by some girls to deposit certain amounts. However, he was never allowed to meet any girl. The complainant deposited Rs 16.5 lakh in various accounts based on false claims.

The police mentioned that Acharyya was previously arrested for duping a man in Mumbai of Rs 15 lakh in 2022 and was later released on bail.

“Before Acharyya, his associate Dattaterya Kundu was arrested from West Bengal last week. Kundu’s interrogation led police to Acharyya. Kundu was sent to judicial custody and Acharyya is currently being interrogated,” a police officer said.

Cyber safety tips by Chandigarh Police

1. Avoid clicking on links received via SMS or WhatsApp, as scammers often use these avenues to manipulate victims.

2. Avoid friendship with unidentified people on social media platforms. Never make or accept video calls to unidentified people on WhatsApp, Facebook or any other social media platform.

3. Turn on two-step verification/authentication on all your social media accounts.

4. Use privacy safeguards provided on different social media sites to prevent any information from being misused.

5. Exercise caution when accepting friend requests from anonymous users on social media platforms like Instagram/Facebook/WhatsApp.

6. Protect your systems/devices through security software such as anti-virus with the latest version.

7. If you become a victim of any kind of cybercrime, immediately report to the police on National Cyber Helpline Number 1930, 112 or make a complaint on website http://www.cybercrime.gov.in.

8. Follow Chandigarh Police’s social media handles on Instagram — chandigarhpolice.cybercell; Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/ChandigarhCyberCrime; and Twitter — @ChdCyberCell.