Jaunpur — In another crackdown on ongoing fraud networks across several parts of the country grappling with cybercrime, Jaunpur police on Wednesday evening arrested four accused. They were caught for allegedly cheating customers on the online platform OLX by creating fake identities. According to police, 15 cases were already registered against them in different states.
Officials stated that the arrested individuals used to create fake OLX IDs and lure customers by offering expensive electronic items and vehicles for sale. They collected advance payments from interested buyers and disappeared after switching off their mobile phones. Police recovered 6 mobile phones, 6 SIM cards, 10 ATM cards, Aadhaar and PAN cards, along with several suspicious documents.
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Police added, “These accused expanded their network through fake SIM cards and remained active on OLX, continuously searching for new victims. Investigations so far have revealed transactions worth lakhs of rupees in their accounts.”
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Professor Dr. Triveni Singh described the arrests as significant, saying, “Such online frauds are now taking the shape of organized crime. Criminals operate from small towns, but their victims are spread across the country. To tackle such cases, police action must be supplemented with technological surveillance and public awareness. Not only law enforcement, but digital literacy is the biggest weapon in this battle. If people avoid rushing into online deals and verify sellers’ identities before making payments, such crimes can largely be prevented.”
Experts also noted that this gang was active not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in neighbouring states. They started with small transactions to build trust and later executed large-scale frauds.
This arrest comes at a time when the rise of cybercrimes on online platforms has become a growing concern for security agencies. Experts say that with the rapid expansion of the internet, such frauds are becoming increasingly challenging to tackle.