In a major breakthrough against cyber crime, a joint team comprising the Varanasi Cyber Crime and Chetganj police station has busted a massive cyber fraud racket amounting to 116.86 crores in Uttar Pradesh. Authorities have successfully apprehended four suspects, including the mastermind behind the syndicate. The kingpin has been identified as Nitish Kumar Pandey, a resident of Sasaram in Rohtas, Bihar. According to police investigations, the gang lured vulnerable individuals with promises of commissions to open bogus business firms and bank accounts in their names. These accounts were subsequently utilized for laundering money acquired through cyber scams, fraudulent investment schemes, and betting applications. A thorough scrutiny of 41 bank accounts linked to the accused revealed 143 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, confirming a staggering financial fraud totalling 116.86 crores.
Modus Operandi of the Cyber Syndicate
During technical analysis and interrogation, investigators uncovered the sophisticated methods employed by the syndicate. The culprits activated SMS forwarding on mobile devices using the XePay APK application, allowing them to intercept crucial one-time passwords and seamlessly route illicit funds across multiple accounts to obscure the money trail. The operation was spearheaded by Nitish Kumar Pandey from Sasaram, while another accused identified as Dushyant Singh has a documented criminal history. Law enforcement agencies are actively expanding their probe to identify and apprehend other account holders and associates tied to this sprawling network.
Seizure of Electronic Devices and Assets
During the coordinated raid, police recovered a significant cache of incriminating evidence from the possession of the accused. The seized items include 7 mobile phones, 1 laptop, 19 chequebooks, 40 debit cards, 48 QR code scanners, and two vehicles used in their operations. Elaborating on the operation, ACP Crime Vinay Kumar Dwivedi stated that the joint effort by the district cyber crime team and Chetganj police on August 23 was part of an ongoing intensive drive against cyber criminals. He noted that the syndicate systematically deceived citizens by offering commission to register fake corporate entities, subsequently seizing all banking credentials to channel funds generated through gaming applications and investment scams.
Ongoing Manhunt and Next Steps
Police officials emphasized that the total volume of fraudulent transactions executed across various layers by this network exceeds 116 crores 86 lakhs. While four primary offenders have been taken into custody, two additional suspects remain at large, and dedicated teams are pursuing leads to track them down. Law enforcement is also verifying all associated accounts and individuals who facilitated the creation of these fraudulent channels. This decisive action marks a significant blow to organized cyber financial crimes operating within the region.
