The Noida Police has successfully dismantled a sophisticated gambling and online fraud operation, leading to the arrest of eight individuals. The group was allegedly running a large-scale scam by luring people with promises of quick profits through a gaming application.
The Raid and Arrests
Acting on a specific tip-off, the police conducted a raid on November 14 at a flat located in the Lawn Residential Society in Noida. During the operation, eight people were taken into custody. The accused include seven men and one woman, all identified as residents of Etawah district in Uttar Pradesh.
Police have named the arrested individuals as Ankit Singh (24), Himanshu (20), Chirag Jain (21), Pratham Mishra (22), Harshit Verma (23), Ansh Kumar Verma (20), Nitin Babu (22), and Kirti (23).
Massive Haul of Forged Evidence
The police recovery from the apartment paints a picture of a highly organized crime syndicate. A significant number of items used in the fraudulent activities were seized, including:
- 159 forged passbooks
- 95 cheque books
- 131 ATM cards
- 114 pre-activated SIM cards
- 61 mobile phones
- 7 laptops
- 1 tablet
Modus Operandi: A Web of Deceit
According to DCP Shakti Mohan Awasthy, the group's method was systematic. They would first obtain people's identity documents, which were then used to purchase fake SIM cards. Using these forged identities and SIMs, they would open multiple bank accounts.
The primary tool for the scam was the Winbuzz gaming app. The accused used this platform to attract investors, guaranteeing them rapid financial returns. All transactions with the victims were then funneled through the illegally obtained bank accounts, making the money trail difficult to follow.
An FIR has been registered at the Bisrakh police station under the relevant sections of the Gambling Act. The police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with efforts focused on tracing the money trail and identifying other individuals who may be part of this extensive operation.
