Bharatpur Police arrest 10 cyber scammers operating from a farm; fake ads used to collect advance money for cattle delivery — old ‘fake gold brick’ model now upgraded for the digital era.
Bharatpur, Rajasthan – Cybercrime in rural India is evolving rapidly, and the latest case exposed by Bharatpur Police has revealed a new pattern of fraud targeting unsuspecting buyers on social media platforms. Scammers are now using advertisements of high-yield milch cows and buffaloes at unbelievably low prices to trick buyers into sending advance payments—only to disappear after receiving the money.
Police officials say this fraud model appears to be an upgraded version of the earlier Meo cybercrime cartel, which once operated a large-scale fake gold brick scam and defrauded victims across several states.
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How the New Online Fraud Operated
According to Jurehra Police Station, the gang was running the fraud primarily through Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp groups and other classified platforms. The ads typically contained attractive images of cattle along with claims such as:
- Freshly calved high-milk producing cows and buffaloes
- Price nearly half of the market rate
- Home delivery and transport facility available
Once a potential buyer responded, the scammers demanded an initial booking amount between ₹1,000 to ₹10,000. In several cases, additional payments were demanded under the pretext of transport charges, vaccination records, or delivery confirmation fees.
As soon as the payment was made, the fraudsters blocked the buyer and vanished.
Scammers Found Operating From Makeshift Farm Cyber Hub
On November 19, acting on a tip-off, police raided a farm located behind a petrol pump on Kaman–Jurehra Road. Officers found 8–10 youths engaged in suspicious digital activities. During the operation, police confiscated:
- 12 mobile phones
- 12 fake SIM cards
- A list of multiple fake social media accounts and bank details
Investigators confirmed that the gang had set up a temporary cyber-workstation inside the farm, away from populated areas to avoid detection.
Accused Confess — ‘Demand Is Growing, and So Is the Business’
During interrogation, the arrested cybercriminals reportedly admitted that this model is becoming increasingly profitable due to:
- A surge in online livestock and secondhand product transactions
- Buyers trusting sellers claiming to be farmers
- High reliance on UPI payments in rural markets
The police also learned that the gang previously operated the notorious “gold brick trap” — a fraud in which victims were told that a gold bar was found during excavation and could be purchased at a throwaway price.
Old Tricks, New Medium: The Same Fraud in a Digital Package
Earlier, these gangs convinced victims by showing a small genuine gold sample to earn trust — but the final product supplied was fake. That model has now moved online.
Today, instead of meeting at remote fields with fake gold bricks, the criminals use:
- Fake social media profiles
- Stock photographs of cattle and gold
- UPI accounts to collect deposits
- The product has changed — the technique remains the same.
Police Advisory: Verify Before You Pay
Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution while making online purchases, especially through unverified sellers. Police issued the following advisory:
- Do not pay advance to unknown sellers
- Always demand live video verification of the product
- Avoid sending payments via suspicious QR codes
- Report fraud immediately at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in
Conclusion
While the digital marketplace has expanded convenience and accessibility, it has also opened new avenues for organised cybercrime networks. The Bharatpur incident highlights a growing trend — fraud groups no longer need streets, shops or local agents; a smartphone and a fake social media profile are enough to run a scam.
The warning is simple: if an online deal looks too cheap to be true, it probably isn’t real.
