NEW DELHI: The initial probe into the call detail records (CDR) racket busted by Delhi Police suggests that gang members, who worked in private detective agencies, may have illegally obtained details of at least 1,000 numbers in the past four-five years.
At least six detective agencies are under the scanner, sources said. The gang, police said, charged their “customers” Rs 9,000 for a month’s call details, Rs 18,000 for six months and Rs 25,000 for one year. The syndicate also provided “live locations” of people for Rs 5,500 and a year’s bank statement for Rs 15,000, said a source.
The rate list came to the fore after Delhi Police stumbled upon a WhatsApp group that had nearly 100 people from various detective agencies. A message detailing the rates was posted by one of the group members, whom cops are trying to trace.
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On Monday, police had laid a trap and arrested Pawan Kumar from Rohini. Kumar, who works for a Noida-based detective agency, had claimed the gang had contacts in various police forces outside Delhi and that several detective agencies were involved in snooping.
On Wednesday, Delhi Police claimed that no one from its force had emerged as a suspect till now and that Kumar’s questioning suggested the involvement of cops from other states.
Most call records related to matrimonial disputes, affairs
Delhi Police, which is investigating the CDR racket, said it will write to telecom service providers and seek details to ascertain where the requests for the numbers came from.
The kingpin of the racket, who runs a private detective agency, is currently on the run. He was earlier investigated by Jaipur police in a similar case, according to an officer who is investigating the matter.
Pawan Kumar, the only suspect arrested so far, had been in the business for about five years, cops said, adding that they were trying to ascertain the identity of people who he had sold call detail records to.
“The accused has revealed that most of the CDRs were related to matrimonial disputes, extramarital affairs. We suspect that call details of businessmen, private firms and employees of various companies were also sold for money,” said an officer.
Apart from WhatsApp groups, the gang used to post their numbers on the internet through which people would contact them for details, sources said.
Deputy commissioner of police (outer north) Brijendra Kumar Yadav said they had formed a special team to investigate the matter.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/most-call-records-related-to-matrimonial-disputes-affairs/articleshow/93487086.cms