Four youth arrested for phishing bank accounts

Staff Reporter Dimapur, November 29 Dimapur police have arrested four youths on charges of running a ‘bank account racket’ that involved filching funds from legitimate accounts, as well as selling and buying bank account numbers. The four persons are Hamjit Langthasa (19 years), Wangkei Konyak alias Thomas (23 years), Lamthai Khiam alias J. Lambo (21 years), and Hepito Ayemi (23 years). According to the police officials, amongst the four accused, Hepito Ayemi was the ‘main agent’ who introduced the racket to his three accomplices. The incident was brought to light when officials of the State Bank of India of the city’s main branch detained J Lambo, an account holder on suspicion of involvement in a questionable racket. The racket involves duping account holders by asking them via text or email messages to claim huge amounts of money from the bank and directing them to deposit some cash to claim their ‘cash award’. The account number under J Lambo’s name with an ID proof issued by the administration office was sold to Wangkei Konyak for Rs.3,000 who then introduced the business to Hamjit and sold it for Rs. 5000. Hamjit later gave it to Hepito Ayemi. Ayemi then sold it to an unidentified Nigerian person for rupees 10,000. And in return of being agents for the Nigerian, the agents received a commission in return, it was informed. The police investigated various other bank accounts in Dimapur and detected more than 200 suspicious account IDs. Further investigation is on. The police have requested the public, particularly bank account holders, to be vigilant against promises from people or agencies who assure cash rewards or incentives against their bank holdings.