Jamshedpur, 18 July: In a case highlighting the misuse of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding claims, cyber fraudsters allegedly duped an NGO into opening a bank account under the pretext of securing CSR grants from leading companies and later used the account to channel nearly ₹3 crore obtained through cyber fraud across the country.
The police have arrested the prime accused, Aman Kumar Singh alias Raghu, a resident of Gauribazar in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district. He was apprehended from Adityapur in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district following a tip-off. His mobile phone has been seized, while efforts are underway to trace other members of the interstate cyber fraud network.
According to City SP Lalit Meena, the accused first contacted the operator of Home Help for All Foundation, an NGO based in Mango, Jamshedpur, promising to arrange CSR funding from major corporate houses. After gaining the NGO’s trust, they collected its official documents and used them to open a current account in the organisation’s name.
Police said the accused retained possession of the account’s passbook, cheque book and ATM card, effectively taking control of the account without the NGO’s knowledge. The account was subsequently used to receive and transfer proceeds from cyber fraud committed across multiple states.
During interrogation, Aman Kumar Singh reportedly confessed that after obtaining access to the NGO’s bank account, he and five associates travelled to Lucknow, where they stayed in a hotel for five days. Investigators allege that during this period the gang targeted victims across India and routed nearly ₹3 crore of fraud proceeds through the NGO’s current account.
The investigation has also brought other individuals under the police scanner. Based on a complaint lodged on June 18 by NGO operator Reena Pandey, an FIR was registered against Aman Kumar Singh, Ankit Kumar and others. Police are examining the alleged role of an advocate from Adityapur and have issued a notice asking him to join the investigation.
Investigators are now analysing the accused’s mobile phone to identify other members of the cybercrime network, trace additional victims and uncover the full extent of the operation.
The case serves as a cautionary reminder for NGOs to thoroughly verify the credentials of individuals or agencies offering to facilitate CSR funding. Experts advise organisations to avoid sharing institutional documents or opening bank accounts through third parties without proper due diligence and direct verification with the concerned corporate entities.
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