Kanpur Police Apprehends Two Cyber Criminals in Major International Fraud Case
In a significant crackdown on cyber crime, the Kanpur police have successfully arrested two individuals accused of orchestrating a sophisticated international fraud scheme. The operation, which resulted in the apprehension of the cyber criminals on Thursday, involved defrauding a citizen of the Czech Republic of a substantial sum of $200,000 (approximately 2 lakh dollars).
Details of the Fraudulent Operation
The accused, identified as Amit Om Prakash Sharma and Aakash Kumar, established a fictitious company under the name "Vardhaman Industries". This entity was used as a front to deceive G Jenjela, a businessman based in the Czech Republic. Jenjela owns a company in Frenstat Pod Radhostem, which specializes in dealing with other non-durable miscellaneous goods.
According to police officials, Jenjela's company required steel for its operations. In their search for suppliers, they came across what appeared to be a legitimate firm located in Panki's Uptron Estate. Communication was initiated through emails, and after negotiations, a deal was finalized for the export of steel.
The Fraud Unfolds and Police Intervention
The Czech company proceeded to transfer $200,000 to the account of Vardhman Industries in Panki. However, despite the payment being made, the promised steel was never dispatched. Upon closer examination, the emails and other documents involved in the transaction were discovered to be fraudulent.
Frustrated by the deception, businessman Jenjela filed a formal complaint via email to the Police Commissioner's office on January 13 of this year. This complaint set the wheels of justice in motion, leading to a swift and coordinated response from the authorities.
Police Action and Recovery of Evidence
The arrest operation was conducted under the direct supervision of Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal, with DCP West S M Qasim Abidi overseeing the proceedings. The Panki police, acting promptly on the complaint, launched an investigation that culminated in the capture of the accused.
During the arrest, law enforcement officials recovered a significant amount of evidence, including:
- Rs 20,150 in cash
- A car, laptop, and four mobile phones
- 21 passbooks from various banks and 9 ATM cards
- Three Aadhaar cards, two PAN cards, two voter ID cards, two driving licenses, and one RC
- Two rubber stamps, a purse, and a backpack
In a major breakthrough, the police also seized cash worth Rs 1 crore 30 lakh from multiple bank accounts linked to the cyber fraud activities. This seizure underscores the scale and financial impact of the criminal operation.
Team Effort in the Arrest
The successful arrest was a result of meticulous teamwork led by SHO Manoj Kumar Bhadauria. The operation involved key personnel such as Sub Inspector Nishant Kumar, Afroz Ahmad, Durgesh Shukla, Mahesh Saroj, and Cyber Cell West Zone in-charge S-I Shubham Yadav, along with their dedicated team. Their collective efforts ensured that the cyber criminals were brought to justice, highlighting the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement actions in combating financial fraud.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of cyber crime in the digital age and the importance of vigilance when engaging in international business transactions. The Kanpur police's proactive measures demonstrate a strong commitment to protecting citizens and businesses from such fraudulent schemes, both domestically and internationally.
