Ghazipur Police Crack Down on Major Interstate Cyber Fraud Network
In a significant breakthrough, the Cyber Crime Cell of Ghazipur police has apprehended three interstate cyber fraudsters, unraveling a sophisticated scam that spans 25 states across India. The investigation has so far linked the accused to 75 registered cases, where they allegedly duped unsuspecting individuals through fraudulent schemes involving investment, trading, and gaming.
Massive Financial Fraud Uncovered
During the probe, authorities uncovered a staggering fraud amounting to Rs 67 crore, facilitated through approximately 700 mule accounts. Ghazipur Superintendent of Police Iraj Raja disclosed on Saturday that there has been a concerning rise in complaints regarding money duping by cyber criminals operating under the guise of a company named 'Crown Pay'.
These fraudsters primarily targeted victims via the Telegram messaging app, luring them with lucrative offers in investment, trading, gaming, and other ventures. Additionally, they enticed a large number of people to open mule accounts, promising substantial commissions for transactions conducted on behalf of their company.
Arrests and Seizures
Following the registration of a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, SP Iraj Raja formed a dedicated team for surveillance, evidence collection, and detailed investigation. This led to the arrest of three key accused:
- Rishiraj, a diploma engineer from Chandauli
- Rohan Kumar, who worked on a contract basis at DRDO in Delhi, from Ghazipur
- Sachin Singh, a post-graduate in science from Sonbhadra
The trio was apprehended near Lanka Maidan. Police seized a total of 19 SIM cards, 12 ATM cards, five passbooks from various banks, a cheque book, five mobile phones, stamps and seals of a firm, along with GST and MSME-related documents from their possession.
Modus Operandi Revealed
During interrogation, the accused detailed their elaborate modus operandi. Gang members would first befriend individuals in need of cash, then coax and lure them with promises of funds. They would obtain the Aadhaar and PAN numbers, along with photographs of these individuals, to open bank accounts in their names.
The fraudsters would then procure an MSME (industry) certificate to open a current account, followed by registering a GST number to finalize the bank account setup. All details of the newly opened accounts—including Internet banking credentials, registered email IDs, and mobile numbers—were shared via Telegram.
Furthermore, APK files were sent through Telegram and installed on devices, enabling the gang to automatically receive all OTPs and messages sent to the registered mobile numbers. The company operated exclusively on Telegram, with associated cyber criminals executing financial transactions through cryptocurrency trading platforms.
Crypto Connections and Earnings
The investigation revealed that commissions from money received in the sold accounts were pocketed by the gang members in cryptocurrency. Each cyber criminal involved in the operation maintained an ID on a crypto trading platform.
SP Iraj Raja stated that the probe not only exposed the 700 mule accounts and the Rs 67 crore fraud but also shed light on the substantial earnings of the gang members. Sachin Singh confessed to earning Rs 2.5 crore from cyber crimes, while Rohan Kumar admitted to making Rs 1.75 crore. The duo utilized nearly 24 mule accounts to route illicit funds.
Nationwide Alert and Ongoing Investigation
Given the extensive reach of the gang across the country, authorities have alerted the Cyber Crime Headquarters in Lucknow and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The district's cyber crime cell is meticulously analyzing complaints and investigation outcomes to dismantle the network further and prevent future scams.
