Varanasi: In a major breakthrough, the Azamgarh Police on Tuesday dismantled a well-organized cyber fraud network operating in the district, which was linked to 448 cyber complaints across the country. Four individuals were arrested near the Durvasa Temple.
Arrested Individuals Identified
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sudhakar, Nitin Mishra, Navneet Singh, and Sumit Singh, all residents of Azamgarh district. Police teams are conducting raids to apprehend other absconding accused. The gang was involved in transacting money obtained through cyber fraud across the country via fake firms and bank accounts.
Special Campaign Against Cyber Criminals
The arrests were made under a special campaign, “Cyber Thagi Ke Jad Mein War,” being run against cyber criminals in Azamgarh district by SSP Anil Kumar. A joint team of the cyber cell, Azamgarh, and Aharaula police station executed the operation.
According to police, preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were connected to hundreds of cyber-crime complaints registered in various states of the country.
Investigation Details
On Tuesday, during routine checking of suspicious persons and vehicles, important information was obtained from the investigation of mule accounts on the Samanvaya portal. The cyber cell found that bank accounts opened in the name of fake firms at the State Bank of India were being used to transact money obtained through cyber fraud. Financial analysis showed that a total of 448 cyber complaints were registered on the NCRP portal in relation to these accounts. The investigation also revealed suspicious transactions of approximately Rs. 40 lakh in a single bank account within just three days. The police successfully froze an amount of around Rs. 10 lakh related to a cyber crime.
Modus Operandi of the Gang
Police said that the gang members created fake firms and, in collusion with bank employees, opened current accounts in their names. These current accounts were used for large-scale and continuous transactions, allowing the money obtained through cyber fraud to be quickly transferred to various accounts. They would lure or deceive innocent persons to open firms and bank accounts in their names. After obtaining the passbook, chequebook, ATM card, and registered mobile number, they would receive, withdraw, and transfer the illegal money into these accounts. Later, the illegal money was distributed among gang members.
Recovered Items
The police recovered 6 ATM/Debit cards, forged seals, fake Aadhaar card, PAN card, and Voter ID card, 2 blank cheques, a foreign SIM card, 4 mobile phones, identity cards issued in the names of various persons, a vehicle, and a motorcycle from the accused.
Legal Action
A case under Sections 318(4)/338/336(3)/340(2)/111 BNS 66C IT Act was registered at Aharaula police station.
