Now Reading: Pickpocket gang’s WhatsApp code cracked by Mumbai police
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Pickpocket gang’s WhatsApp code cracked by Mumbai police
Mumbai police have cracked the code language used by the Dhakka gang of pickpockets, who used WhatsApp calls and messages to communicate. Innocent phrases like 'Chacha ne salaam diya' and 'Aaj mausam…
The Story in Brief
Mumbai police have cracked the code language used by the Dhakka gang of pickpockets, who used WhatsApp calls and messages to communicate. Innocent phrases like 'Chacha ne salaam diya' and 'Aaj mausam kaisa hai?' were actually coded checks to see if any member had been caught. The gang's leader changed the code daily and contacted members every morning before deciding which bus route to target.
The MIDC police in Andheri arrested the gang last week after busting their operations. DCP Datta Nalawade said the purpose of the communication was not to discuss the theft but to check safety. Police recovered 135 high-end phones worth between Rs 90,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh. The thieves reportedly avoided iPhones as they were harder to unlock and had limited resale value in Bangladesh and Nepal.
The Indian Opinion
The Dhakka gang's WhatsApp code shows crime is not stuck in the past, despite romanticised stories of street-smart thieves. The lazy narrative that Mumbai's criminals rely on old-school tricks alone misses how they adopt everyday apps for covert ops. What matters is whether police can stay ahead of digital evasion. The real test: how many gangs are using encrypted apps and daily-changing codes right now, undetected? A number from police data would settle the question.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
