In a significant breakthrough, the Kanpur police have busted a cyber fraud gang that used fake websites and rented bank accounts to swindle victims of lakhs of rupees. A joint team of cyber crime, SWAT, and local police arrested four members of the gang, which operated by creating counterfeit websites of reputed online companies to offer enticing deals and falsely promise credit card limit increases.
Gang's Modus Operandi
The accused would create fake websites mimicking legitimate online platforms to lure victims with attractive offers. They also promised to increase credit card limits, tricking victims into sharing sensitive information. Once the victims were hooked, the gang would transfer the fraudulently obtained money through rented bank accounts, making it difficult to trace.
Arrests and Key Details
DCP Crime Shravan Kumar Singh confirmed the arrests and identified the accused as Sahil Yadav, a BPharma student from Hitakari Nagar, Kakadeo; Prashant Gupta; Aakash Saroj; and Mohammad Meraj alias Mohammad Kaif, a Class 10 pass resident of Kaushambi who worked as an AC repair technician. The kingpin of the gang is reportedly absconding.
The police have linked the gang's operations to fraudsters based in Cambodia and Malaysia, indicating a transnational network. The gang had rented a flat in Geeta Nagar for Rs 9,000 per month to carry out their fraudulent activities.
Complaints and Investigation
A total of 18 complaints against the gang were registered on the cyber crime portal. One such complaint was filed on Tuesday by Varun Sonkar, a graduate student living in Geeta Nagar, who reported that the gang deceived him into handing over his bank account, through which they transferred approximately Rs 13 lakh.
The team first apprehended Sahil Yadav through surveillance. Based on his disclosure, the other three accused were arrested from the flat in Geeta Nagar. The police are now investigating the extent of the gang's operations and their links to international fraudsters.
This case highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud and the importance of vigilance when dealing with online offers. The Kanpur police have urged citizens to report any suspicious activities to the cyber crime portal.
