TL;DR: Six people in Indore were cheated through fake APK files used by cybercriminals, losing about ₹5 lakh in total. Indore Crime Branch investigated the transactions, traced the fraudulent funds and secured a full refund for all six victims.
What happened in Indore
The Times of India reported in September 2026 that six people in Indore were cheated through fake APK files used by cybercriminals. The victims collectively lost around ₹5 lakh.
The Indore Crime Branch investigated the transactions and managed to trace the fraudulent funds. The outcome was unusually positive: police secured a full refund for all six victims, restoring the money they had lost.
Why fake APK files are dangerous
Malicious APK files can be more than annoying pop-ups or suspicious apps. They can become a direct route to financial fraud. An APK is an Android app installed from a file instead of an official store, so a link or file that arrives over chat or SMS can put a harmful app on your phone. We covered a case of this kind in a WhatsApp APK scam, and the broader pattern sits inside common scams in India in 2026.
As a general safety habit, install apps only from the official store, and treat any file sent over a message as untrusted, even when it appears to come from a contact or an official body.
What the recovery tells us
Tracing the funds is what made a full refund possible for all six victims. If you lose money after installing an unknown app, do not wait: report through 1930 and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at once. Read the 1930 golden hour for why speed matters, why you should never share an OTP to close a common gap, and what to do after you have been scammed for the full checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the six Indore victims lose?
Together they lost around ₹5 lakh through fake APK files used by cybercriminals.
Did the victims get their money back?
Yes. Indore Crime Branch traced the fraudulent funds and secured a full refund for all six victims.
What is a fake APK scam?
Criminals send an Android app file that looks legitimate. Once installed, the malicious app can become a direct route to financial fraud.
How can I avoid fake APK files?
Install apps only from the official store and treat any app file sent through a message as untrusted, even if it seems to come from someone you know.