Phishing scam mastermind was mentored by cyber criminal

We are checking if Sabharwal has a record: Mumbai Police Crime Branch.

Phishing scam racket mastermind Muzammil Tazdar has reportedly told police that over the past two years,he had built a multi-layered network of fall guys around himself to ensure that his scams were not traced back to him,using three-four people between himself and his victims. Police said he started his career in crime around two years ago after being mentored by another expert cyber criminal.

Tazdar,who had injured himself while trying to evade arrest earlier this month,was formally arrested Wednesday after he was discharged from GT Hospital. He had allegedly transferred Rs 12.5 lakh from actor Raveena Tandons husband Anil Thadanis account to his own. He was involved in similar crimes in Thane,Navi Mumbai and Nashik,police said.

Tazdar aspired to be a model. We have found an entire portfolio of modelling photographs among his belongings. However,he could not succeed as a model. Around two-and-a half years ago,he met a man identified as Rinku Sabharwal,who,according to Tazdar,is an expert in crimes involving hacking and phishing. Sabharwal allegedly trained Tazdar and Tazdar started committing such crimes in 2011. We are checking if Sabharwal has a record, said an officer with the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.

On Sabharwals advice,Tazdar started building up a network of people that he could use for the more dangerous activities such as personally contacting potential victims and withdrawing money from his accounts after the victims money had been transferred.

Tazdar has been remanded in police custody till Sunday,sources said.

gautam.mengle@expressindia.com

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