In a significant crackdown, the Lucknow Police on Tuesday dismantled a sophisticated cyber fraud syndicate that had orchestrated a digital house arrest scam, cheating a retired government employee of a staggering Rs 54.6 lakh. Four individuals have been apprehended in connection with the elaborate con.
The Modus Operandi: A Terrifying Digital Trap
The case unfolded after Rajendra Prakash Verma, a pensioner, filed a complaint. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kamlesh Dixit, on December 13, 2025, Verma received a WhatsApp video call from individuals masquerading as an inspector and officers from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
The fraudsters falsely accused Verma of involvement in terror funding and illegal transactions worth Rs 7 crore through fictitious bank accounts. They then threatened him with immediate arrest, declaring that he was under digital arrest and forcing him to remain on a continuous video call. Under this intense psychological pressure and fear, the victim was coerced into transferring his life savings in two instalments from his State Bank of India account to accounts in IndusInd Bank and Bank of Baroda.
Police Action and Arrests
Following Verma's complaint, an FIR was registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. A swift investigation led to the arrest of four accused:
- Mohd Sufiyan (29) from Wazirganj
- Mohd Azam from Dubagga
- Arif Iqbal from Adilnagar
- Uzair Khan (20), a coaching student in Lucknow, originally from Bahraich
Police seized substantial evidence from their possession, including Rs 34,334 in cash, five mobile phones, seven ATM cards, cheque books, PAN and Aadhaar cards, and three fake press ID cards. These IDs were allegedly used to create a false impression of authority and legitimacy during their operations.
A Well-Oiled Syndicate Unraveled
During interrogation, the accused confessed to running a highly organised cyber fraud operation. DCP Dixit explained that the gang had a clear division of labour. While some members impersonated police and central agency officials to directly intimidate victims, others were tasked with arranging mule accounts.
These mule accounts were obtained by luring other individuals into sharing their bank account details, ATM cards, and cheque books. The illicit money was then quickly routed through multiple layers of these accounts. "The money transferred was routed through multiple bank accounts, withdrawn in cash, or transferred online to avoid tracing," added Dixit, highlighting the gang's methods to obscure the financial trail.
This case serves as a stark warning about the evolving tactics of cyber criminals who exploit fear and impersonate authority figures. The Lucknow Police's successful bust underscores the importance of public vigilance and robust cybercrime investigation mechanisms.
