Bareilly Police Crack Down on Major Interstate Cyber Fraud Network
In a significant breakthrough, Bareilly police have dismantled an interstate cyber fraud gang, arresting five individuals including a homoeopathic practitioner. The arrests were made on Saturday following intensive investigations into sophisticated financial crimes spanning multiple states.
Key Arrests and Identifications
The accused, ranging in age from 25 to 40 years, have been identified as Sachendra Kumar, a homoeopathic doctor from Ambedkar Nagar who allegedly permitted his trust account to be exploited for fraudulent activities. The other arrested individuals include Shakib Ali, Rajkumar, Ashish Singh, and Madhoram, all residents of Bareilly. Authorities have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under pertinent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, and the Arms Act.
Sophisticated Operation with Foreign Suspicions
According to ASP Ashutosh Shivam, the gang operated across numerous states and maintained suspected connections to foreign networks. During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused employed counterfeit trusts and bank accounts to illegally divert funds from victims. To avoid detection, money was systematically routed through multiple beneficiary accounts before being withdrawn via ATMs or cheques.
"The network had defined roles such as panel operators, agents, mediators and account holders, and used tools such as SMS-listener apps and layered fund transfers to avoid detection," stated ASP Shivam. "We are tracing national and international links."
Evidence Seizure and Financial Scale
Acting on a credible tip-off, police intercepted a black SUV carrying the suspects. A thorough search yielded substantial evidence including:
- A laptop and seven mobile phones containing crucial digital evidence
- Multiple cheque books and ATM cards
- Identification documents and a trust seal
- The vehicle used in criminal activities
- Illegal firearms with live cartridges
Investigators discovered that 22 bank accounts linked to the gang had accumulated 524 complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, indicating a large-scale, organized operation. Digital evidence extracted from seized mobile phones revealed transaction trails amounting to approximately Rs 1.5 crore, which are currently under detailed scrutiny.
International Connections and Modus Operandi
During questioning, accused Shakib Ali disclosed that he had learned the sophisticated modus operandi in Delhi and claimed some operators were based in neighboring countries such as Nepal. This revelation has prompted authorities to expand their investigation to identify additional members, including mediators and suspected foreign handlers who may have facilitated the cross-border aspects of the fraud.
The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of this cyber fraud network and bring all involved parties to justice.
