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Kanpur Police have arrested the third accused in an alleged ₹5,600 crore cyber fraud network that targeted nearly 2,000 people across 18 Indian states and abroad. The accused, identified as Arif, was arrested after returning from Mumbai, where he had reportedly been hiding for two months.
Investigators found that transactions worth approximately ₹49 crore were conducted through three bank accounts linked to bogus GST-registered firms over 18 months.
How Was the ₹49 Crore Transaction Network Operated?
According to police, the transactions were routed through current accounts opened under the names Arif Enterprises, SS Enterprises and Alamir Enterprises. Investigators also found that a State Bank of India branch on Birhana Road had sanctioned a ₹1.45 crore loan using allegedly forged documents.
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Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said the accounts were used to move money connected to cyber fraud, hawala transactions, GST-related activities and the fraudulent loan.
Arif’s nephew, Faizan, allegedly introduced him to suspected gang leader Shahzeb Waris and helped establish the three accounts using fake GST registrations.
Arif reportedly worked as a clerk for ₹8,000 at a scrap warehouse belonging to another alleged gang member, Ehtisham Hussain, in Koyla Nagar. He told investigators that Shahzeb controlled the accounts and possessed the mobile number linked to them.
How Did the Gang Target Victims?
Police said the suspected network deceived victims through fraudulent investment schemes promising unusually high returns, digital arrest threats and other cyber fraud methods.
Investigators identified 77 bogus slaughterhouse and scrap-trading firms allegedly created to move fraudulent funds. The network also reportedly routed transactions through accounts belonging to winners of online games and cricket betting.
Police found 86 complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal indicating Shahzeb’s alleged involvement. Investigators also identified 45 suspicious firms operating across Kanpur, Unnao and nearby districts.
What Did Police Discover During the Investigation?
Arif, a resident of Gamun Khan Hata, had reportedly worked in Dubai for six years before returning to Kanpur about a year ago. Police said he had recently been working as a loader alongside his father, Shabbir, at Chakarpur Mandi.
Shahzeb and Salman had previously been arrested, while two other associates, Ikhlaq and Aamir, were served notices and released.
Investigators said Shahzeb fled to Dubai after a case was registered on August 18 but was subsequently arrested in Hyderabad following a lookout notice. Police are continuing to examine the financial transactions, suspected shell firms and connections between the accused to establish the network’s full operations.
