Lucknow Police Nabs 34-Year-Old in Major Cyber Fraud Operation
The Lucknow Cyber Crime Police made a significant arrest on Tuesday. They captured a 34-year-old man accused of operating a widespread cyber fraud network across India. This racket allegedly cheated more than fifty individuals out of crores of rupees. One notable victim was a local businessman who lost a staggering Rs 1.92 crore.
From Milkman to Master Fraudster
The arrested individual, identified as Ghazi, has a surprising background. He dropped out after Class 10 and originally worked as a milkman. Police say he later established a fake company on paper. This bogus entity served as the front for his pan-India cyber fraud activities. Officers revealed that seven separate FIRs for cheating and fraud were already filed against him at the Gudamba police station in Lucknow.
Authorities are now examining his criminal history in several states. Their investigation spans Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, and Rajasthan. The cyber cell's arrest on Tuesday connects to an FIR registered at the Lucknow Cyber Crime Police Station on June 2, 2025.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
Businessman Shalabh Pandey filed the complaint that triggered this case. He told police that a woman contacted him on WhatsApp, calling herself "Bhavika Shetty." Through extended chats and phone calls, she built his trust. Eventually, she persuaded him to invest in what she described as high-return opportunities.
"Over multiple transactions, the victim transferred a total of Rs 1.92 crore into several bank accounts," explained a senior police officer. "The promised returns never appeared. We later discovered the entire scheme was a carefully planned cyber fraud."
Forged Documents and Mule Accounts
During interrogation, Ghazi reportedly confessed to key details. After his original bank account was frozen, he obtained forged Aadhaar and PAN cards. He used these fake documents to open multiple new bank accounts. Ghazi also named an accomplice, a man called Shehzad. Shehzad allegedly helped arrange the counterfeit documents and facilitated the account openings. Police are still working to uncover Shehzad's full identity.
Investigators made a crucial financial discovery. They found that Rs 54 lakh from the cheated funds went directly into Ghazi's account. Bank statement analysis showed even more alarming activity.
"Suspicious transactions worth Rs 1.52 crore moved through these accounts in just one month," stated ACP Saumya Pandey of the Cyber Cell. "This clearly indicates the massive scale of the racket."
Modus Operandi of the Fraud Gang
Preliminary findings suggest the gang operated a sophisticated scheme. They used social media and messaging platforms to create fake profiles. These profiles posed as investment advisors. The fraudsters lured victims with unrealistic promises of huge profits. They then siphoned money through multiple mule accounts, operating on a commission basis.
An officer involved in the probe provided a final damning detail. "Our investigation confirmed the accused had no real business operations. The company existed only on paper. Its sole purpose was to open current accounts for channeling fraudulently obtained money."
The arrest marks a major breakthrough for Lucknow police in tackling organized cyber crime. The investigation remains active as authorities work to trace all stolen funds and identify other gang members.
