Agarwal Packers and Movers Faces Major Cybersecurity Breach: FIR Filed Amid National Security Concerns

A significant cybersecurity breach at Agarwal Packers and Movers Ltd (APML) has compromised sensitive personal data of high-profile clients, including senior government officials. Discovered on June 1, this breach has raised alarms not only about corporate data security but also potential implications for national security. An FIR has been filed, and an investigation is currently underway.

In what could be one of the most serious data breaches in recent history, APML, a leading logistics firm based in Sector 60, Noida, reported the theft of confidential customer information, including addresses and phone numbers of high-ranking government clients. The breach came to light after several clients, including senior bureaucrats, diplomats, and defense personnel, began receiving suspicious, targeted phone calls.

Jaswinder Singh Ahluwalia, Group President and CEO of APML, stated in the police FIR that the nature of these calls strongly suggested that the callers had access to specific customer queries and records related to upcoming relocations. He emphasized that this incident is not just a corporate data leak; it undermines public trust, individual privacy, and could pose a threat to national security.

An internal technical audit conducted by the company revealed signs of unauthorized cyber intrusion, confirming suspicions of a breach. The audit indicated possible collusion between internal employees and external cybercriminals. While the full extent of the breach is still under investigation, the implications are serious, as the firm serves India’s elite, making the stolen data a potential target for malicious actors.

FIR Filed and Digital Forensics Underway
Following the complaint, an FIR was registered at the Sector 36 Cyber Crime Police Station under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as Sections 66C (identity theft) and 66D (impersonation via computer resource) of the Information Technology Act. Cyber SHO Ranjeet Singh confirmed that they have received a detailed complaint along with supporting technical evidence. The cyber unit is currently analyzing internal server logs, firewall activity, and access trails, treating the case with the utmost priority due to the sensitive nature of the affected clientele.

This breach has sparked calls for enhanced cybersecurity protocols within private firms that service sensitive sectors. While APML has not disclosed the number of individuals affected, internal records reportedly include relocation data for top-tier clients, such as judges, intelligence officers, and foreign dignitaries.

Implications for India’s Cybersecurity Landscape
This incident highlights the growing vulnerabilities within India’s private sector cybersecurity ecosystem. Experts have long warned that industries such as logistics, travel, and healthcare, which handle sensitive personal data, often lack the robust digital security measures employed by banks and fintech firms. Cybersecurity consultant Ritesh Bhatia noted that if the data of high-level officials can be compromised from a logistics database, it could facilitate phishing attacks, impersonation scams, or even surveillance, thereby jeopardizing national interests.