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Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Chitrakoot district have uncovered a cyber fraud operation in which criminals allegedly used petrol pump UPI QR codes to convert money obtained through compromised mobile phones into cash.
Three men from Prayagraj have been arrested after investigators traced suspicious transactions worth approximately ₹2.73 lakh to two petrol pumps. Two additional suspects remain wanted.
The accused allegedly transferred money into petrol pump merchant accounts, purchased fuel and collected the remaining amount in cash by claiming they had accidentally overpaid.
How Did the Petrol Pump QR Code Scam Work?
According to police, the accused visited petrol pumps and purchased relatively small quantities of fuel before transferring significantly larger amounts through merchant UPI QR codes. They then claimed that the excess payment had been made by mistake and requested the balance in cash.
Investigators said the payments originated from mobile phones allegedly compromised by cybercriminals in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.
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The method allowed the suspects to convert digital funds into physical cash while using legitimate fuel businesses as intermediaries.
How Was ₹65,000 Transferred at the First Petrol Pump?
The first incident occurred at Kamala Filling Station in Deudha, Prayagraj, on November 2. Police said three suspects purchased petrol worth ₹650 but transferred ₹65,000 to the pump’s QR code.
Two other alleged associates, Raj Mishra and Alok Shukla, subsequently contacted the salesman and claimed the payment was accidental. The salesman returned ₹64,350 in cash to one of the accused.
The following day, the petrol pump’s bank account was placed on hold. When the suspects returned seeking another transaction, the owner became suspicious and informed police.
What Happened at the Second Petrol Pump?
A similar incident occurred at Raipura Filling Station in Bodipokhari on November 2.
Investigators said the suspects purchased diesel worth ₹70,495 and transferred ₹2,08,696 through several transactions into the petrol pump’s merchant account. They allegedly collected ₹1,38,200 in cash.
The pump’s bank account was subsequently placed on hold. Together, the two incidents involved ₹2,02,550 in cash payments and fuel worth ₹71,145.
Who Has Been Arrested?
Chitrakoot Police arrested Siddharth Adivasi, Priyanshu and Nitin Pratap Singh, all residents of Prayagraj, on November 4. Police recovered two mobile phones and seized a motorcycle allegedly used in the operation. Investigators said Raj Mishra and Alok Shukla, also linked to Prayagraj, remain wanted.
During questioning, the arrested suspects allegedly disclosed that they had been converting cyber fraud proceeds into cash at petrol pumps for approximately three months.
Police said they received fuel and between ₹2,000 and ₹3,000 for expenses on each transaction.
What Did the Cybercrime Investigation Reveal?
Technical analysis linked the ₹65,000 transfer to a compromised mobile phone in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu. The transactions totalling ₹2,08,696 were similarly traced to a compromised phone in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
Police registered two cases at Raipura police station and are examining the wider network and the movement of funds. The petrol pump operators were treated as complainants, with no confirmed finding that they knowingly participated in the fraud.
What Should Petrol Pump Operators Know?
The case highlights how legitimate merchant QR codes can be misused to withdraw cybercrime proceeds indirectly.
Petrol pump operators should verify unusual payments and avoid returning excessive UPI transfers in cash without checking with their banks.
Suspicious transactions should be reported immediately to the bank and cybercrime authorities. The investigation also underlines the importance of monitoring large merchant payments that do not correspond to actual purchases.
