Varanasi | December 31, 2025 | Varanasi Police have busted an interstate cybercrime syndicate that was systematically cheating investors in the name of fake stock trading. In the operation, nine hardened cyber criminals, including the kingpin, were arrested. Police seized a large cache of mobile phones, ATM cards, SIM cards, banking documents, laptops, gold, and ₹4.88 lakh in cash from the accused.
The action was carried out as part of a statewide special drive launched by Uttar Pradesh Police against cybercrime. Investigators said the gang operated an illegal call centre, lured victims with promises of high returns in stock markets, took control of their demat accounts, and siphoned off funds through mule bank accounts.
Intensified statewide crackdown on cybercrime
Police said a sustained campaign against cyber offenders is underway across the state. As part of this effort, cybercrime units in the Varanasi commissionerate have stepped up enforcement as well as public awareness initiatives.
On December 30, 2025, the Cyber Crime Branch in Varanasi received a tip-off that a group was running an illegal call centre to defraud people under the guise of share trading. Taking the input seriously, a special team was constituted and directed to take immediate action.
Arrests from Gandhinagar Colony
Following registration of Case No. 50/2025 under Sections 318(2), 318(4), 61(2), 317(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 66C and 66D of the IT Act, the team conducted a raid in Gandhinagar Colony, Lanka (Varanasi). All nine accused, including the alleged kingpin, were arrested from the spot.
How the fraud worked: the full cyber model
The investigation revealed a well-organised cyber fraud model. The accused first ran fake advertisements in the names of reputed companies on platforms such as META (Facebook/Instagram) and Google. Through these ads, they harvested mobile numbers and personal data of unsuspecting users.
Victims were then contacted over phone and convinced that the callers were professional trading experts. They were promised quick and assured profits in the stock market. Under this pretext, the accused obtained demat account login IDs and passwords.
Once access was secured, the gang executed excessive buy–sell transactions to generate brokerage and commission, deliberately causing losses to investors. When full control of the demat account was achieved, the remaining funds were transferred to fake mule bank accounts and withdrawn in cash.
Details of the arrested accused
All the arrested individuals are residents of Jaunpur district, Uttar Pradesh, aged between 23 and 26 years. They have been identified as Shomil Modanwal, Abhay Maurya, Amit Singh, Krishna Vikram, Abhishek Tiwari, Shiva Vaishya, Aman Maurya, Vijay Kumar alias Vicky, and Sujal Chaurasia.
Comprehensive list of seizures
Police recovered the following items from the accused:
- iOS mobile phones: 5
- Android mobile phones: 14
- Keypad phone: 1
- SIM cards: 7
- ATM cards (debit/credit): 30
- Aadhaar cards: 6
- Voter IDs: 3
- Cheque books: 9
- Passbook: 1
- PAN cards: 4
- Driving licences: 3
- Ayushman card: 1
- Wristwatches of various brands: 9
- Laptops: 3
- Luxury four-wheelers: 2 (estimated value ₹40 lakh)
- Gold: 24 grams (approx. ₹3.5 lakh)
- Cash: ₹4,88,920
Probe continues, wider network suspected
Police said investigations are ongoing to trace additional mule accounts, digital trails, and potential victims linked to the racket. Preliminary findings suggest the fraud network may be spread across multiple states.
Citizens have been advised not to trust unsolicited phone calls, social media advertisements, or “guaranteed return” investment offers related to stock trading. Any suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the 1930 cybercrime helpline or the nearest cybercrime police station.
