A shocking case of cyber fraud has emerged from Palia Pukhta village in Ujhani Kotwali, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, where nearly 180 villagers unknowingly became part of a financial scam. A local cyber café owner is accused of fraudulently opening multiple bank accounts in their names, which were then used for laundering large sums of money acquired through cyber crimes.
The fraudulent activities came to light when Delhi’s Cyber Police issued legal notices to several villagers regarding suspicious transactions in their accounts. Panicked and confused, the affected villagers approached senior police officials, eventually filing a complaint with Circle Officer (CO) Dataganj KK Tiwari, who has now directed a thorough investigation.
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Cyber Café Operator Exploits Villagers’ Trust for Financial Fraud
According to the complaint, the accused café owner exploited the villagers’ trust by handling their bank-related KYC processes. Under the guise of assisting them with digital services, he allegedly collected Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, photographs, and other documents, using them to open unauthorized accounts in private banks.
Unbeknownst to the villagers, these accounts became conduits for illicit transactions amounting to lakhs of rupees. Some villagers received notices from Delhi’s Cyber Crime Police weeks ago but did not take them seriously. However, as more people received legal warnings on Sunday, suspicions grew, prompting them to check their bank accounts. To their shock, they discovered transactions ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh in several accounts, causing widespread panic in the village.
Rs 72 Lakh Transferred to a Daily Wage Laborer’s Account
One of the most astonishing cases involved Nizamuddin, a daily wage laborer from Palia Pukhta, who found a staggering Rs 72 lakh credited to his bank account. Shocked and frightened, he, along with other affected villagers, rushed to local authorities to report the matter.
The scam has left many illiterate and unsuspecting villagers fearing legal action, as the fraudulently transferred money is now being withdrawn from these accounts. Many worry about being falsely implicated in the cybercrime case registered in Delhi’s Cyber Crime Police Station.
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Cyber Police Investigation Underway
Delhi’s Cyber Crime Unit has officially registered a case and initiated an investigation. The notices sent to villagers state that their bank accounts were used in a widespread cyber fraud operation. However, the police have assured that no arrests will be made at this stage, and individuals have been asked to appear before authorities to clarify their involvement.
CO Dataganj KK Tiwari confirmed that the matter is linked to a large-scale cyber fraud operation, where stolen money was funneled through unsuspecting individuals’ accounts. Local authorities have directed the Cyber Crime Police to conduct a full-fledged inquiry and take necessary legal action against the absconding café owner, who is currently on the run.
This incident highlights the rising threats of cyber fraud in rural India and underscores the need for digital literacy, stricter banking security, and vigilance against financial scams.