NEW DELHI – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), International Operations Division (IOD), has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against two individuals for their involvement in an international cyber scam that targeted an Irish national. The case involving Gulam Salik Gulam Rabbani from Maharashtra and Sandip Ojha from West Bengal highlights a sophisticated “refund scam” that bridged borders between India and Ireland.
The FIR (No. RC2312026S0003), registered on January 26, 2026, follows source information regarding a fraudulent operation conducted in December 2023.
The “Eir” Telecom Refund Trap
The investigation details a phishing scheme where the victim, Ms. Mary O Donovan, a resident of Ireland, was contacted on December 23, 2023, by a woman posing as a representative of the Irish telecom giant “Eir”.
- The Inducement: The caller falsely claimed the victim was eligible for a refund due to poor internet coverage.
- The Remote Access: The victim was persuaded to download remote access applications, effectively handing over control of her mobile device to the scammers.
- The Theft: After being induced to log into her Bank of Ireland account, the victim discovered that €2,238 (approximately ₹1.98 lakh) had been unauthorizedly transferred in two separate transactions.
The Money Trail: From Dublin to Kolkata
CBI investigators traced the stolen funds through a series of bank transfers and ATM withdrawals across India:
- Maharashtra Connection: The total amount was first remitted to the HDFC Bank account of Gulam Salik Gulam Rabbani in Malkapur, Buldhana.
- West Bengal Diversion: On the same day the funds arrived, Rabbani transferred a significant portion—₹60,500—to the IDFC First Bank account of Sandip Ojha in Kolkata.
- Rapid Cash-Out: Ojha immediately withdrew the funds in cash. The remaining balance in Rabbani’s account was also withdrawn via ATMs at the Stephen Branch in Kolkata on December 23 and 24, 2023.
Legal Charges and Ongoing Investigation
The CBI has booked the accused under multiple sections of the law:
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- Section 120-B of the IPC: Criminal Conspiracy.
- Section 420 of the IPC: Cheating.
- Section 66-D of the IT Act, 2000: Punishment for cheating by personation by using computer resources.
The case has been entrusted to Inspector Vinod R. Karale for further investigation. This action marks another step in India’s efforts to crack down on domestic cybercriminals targeting international victims through sophisticated social engineering tactics.
