Fraud Alert
Fraud Syndicate Offering Fixed Salaries and Travel Allowances to Members Busted
LUCKNOW: The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Gorakhpur dismantled a sophisticated gang of mobile phone thieves operating with a structured salary system, irrespective of their success in stealing. The gang members were also provided with free meals and travel allowances for outstation operations, making it a well-organized syndicate.
The gang, led by Manoj Mandal (35) from Jharkhand, included two accomplices, Karan Kumar (19) and a 15-year-old minor, who is Karan’s brother. Acting on intelligence, the police arrested the trio near Gorakhpur railway station on Friday night, recovering 44 stolen mobile phones valued at Rs 10 lakh. Manoj has four cases registered against him, while Karan is implicated in two. Authorities are verifying the minor’s criminal history.
items recovered
Organized Operations with Salaries and Perks
Superintendent of Police, GRP Gorakhpur, Sandeep Kumar Meena, who led the investigation, revealed that Manoj employed his gang members on a monthly salary of Rs 15,000, along with perks like food and lodging during trips. The gang focused on thefts in crowded areas, particularly railway stations and markets, and handed the stolen phones to a smuggling cartel that transported them across borders to Bangladesh and Nepal, making recovery and tracking exceedingly difficult.
Stealthy Operations and High-Level Planning
The gang was active in Gorakhpur and nearby districts, including Sant Kabir Nagar, Maharajganj, and Kushinagar. Their modus operandi included reserving train tickets to evade suspicion and frequently switching train compartments. Before selling the stolen phones, they researched their models online to determine market value, ultimately selling them at 30-40% of the original price.
Recruitment and Training
Manoj recruited young individuals from his village in Sahebganj, targeting those in financial distress but possessing basic education. He trained them for three months, teaching theft techniques and even providing arms training to intimidate victims. New recruits were given small targets, and those who succeeded were formally inducted into the gang, receiving a fixed salary. Members were instructed to maintain a polished appearance and demeanor to avoid raising suspicion during operations.
Sophisticated Smuggling Network
The gang operated out of a rented room in Gorakhpur’s Durga Bari area without proper verification. During theft operations, Manoj would station himself near auto stands to quickly collect stolen phones and evade capture. The stolen phones were smuggled to Bangladesh through West Bengal and to Nepal via local traffickers, yielding substantial profits for the group.
Advanced Surveillance Leads to Arrest
The GRP, after a week-long investigation, used footage from over 200 CCTV cameras to track the gang’s movements, leading to their arrest. Along with the 44 mobile phones, the police seized a firearm and a knife from the gang. Authorities plan to further interrogate Manoj to uncover details about the gang’s network and other potential members involved in the syndicate.
Follow The420.in on
Telegram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube