A large-scale cyber fraud network has been uncovered in western Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district, where unsuspecting victims were allegedly duped of crores of rupees under the pretext of trading investments. Authorities have arrested two accused – Mayank alias Sunny and Vishal, both residents of Kairana – while efforts continue to track down other members of the gang, including the suspected kingpin.
According to the investigation, the accused were working for the cyber fraud network on a commission or fixed-payment basis. Police recovered ₹55,000 in cash from their possession. During questioning, it was revealed that the fraud operation involved routing funds through multiple bank accounts, commonly referred to as “mule accounts,” to obscure the money trail and evade detection.
The fraud was primarily executed through messaging platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp, where victims were approached with promises of high returns through trading and online gaming investments. Once interest was established, victims were directed to fake apps or websites via shared links. These platforms initially displayed small profits to build trust, encouraging users to invest larger sums. However, once significant deposits were made, the platforms either became inaccessible or blocked users entirely, resulting in substantial financial losses.
Investigators found that the defrauded funds were funneled through several mule accounts. One individual, identified as Sadiq, allegedly provided his bank account details to Mayank in exchange for commission. Authorities have traced transactions exceeding ₹3 crore through this account alone, indicating the scale of the operation.
The case came to light during an analysis of suspicious bank accounts flagged on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Data scrutiny enabled investigators to link multiple fraudulent transactions to the same network, ultimately leading to the arrest of the two accused. So far, at least five cyber fraud complaints from different regions across the country have been connected to the case, suggesting that the operation extended beyond a single district.
Officials believe the fraud was part of a well-organized network with defined roles. While some members were responsible for approaching and manipulating victims, others arranged mule accounts, and a separate group managed the movement of funds across multiple accounts to avoid detection. The alleged kingpin, believed to have links to Delhi, remains absconding, and efforts are underway to trace his whereabouts.
Cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh highlighted that such scams heavily rely on social engineering tactics. He noted that fraudsters build trust with victims and then pressure them into making quick financial decisions by offering unrealistically high returns, making psychological manipulation a key element of these crimes.
Authorities have intensified their investigation, with further interrogations ongoing. Additional arrests are expected in the coming days as officials work to dismantle the network. Efforts are also being made to identify and freeze more mule accounts linked to the fraud to prevent further financial losses.
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