Azamgarh: In a significant cybercrime breakthrough, Azamgarh police have arrested two skilled fraudsters involved in a nationwide online shopping scam. The accused, operating primarily through Instagram, created fake e-commerce pages and deceived customers into making advance payments via QR codes, only to block them afterward. Investigations reveal that 27 complaints have been filed against them from multiple states, including Assam, Bengal, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.
The police identified the accused as Avan Rajbhar (22) from Unchagaon, Rani Ki Sarai police station area, and Priyanshu Yadav (19) from Shivrampur village, Tehbarpur police station area. The arrests were carried out on March 24, 2026, after police traced crucial digital footprints and verified transaction records through the Cyber Crime Technical Evidence and Reflection Portal.
Modus Operandi of the Gang
According to police, the duo operated several fake Instagram shopping pages under names such as “Ganga.Hills,” “Ganga_hills,” “Ganga Cloth,” “Velside.clothing,” and “Velside_clothing.” These pages displayed high-quality products at attractive prices, enticing potential buyers. Customers were asked to contact them via WhatsApp Business numbers and make advance payments using QR codes. Once the payment was made, the accused either failed to deliver the product or sent substandard items before blocking the buyers.
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Further investigations revealed that initially, the fraudsters used their personal bank accounts to collect payments. As these accounts began to be frozen due to complaints, they started using third-party accounts to continue the scam. Authorities have identified 13 bank accounts linked to the duo, which were used to funnel the illicit proceeds.
Scale of the Fraud
The victims, spread across several states, reported losses ranging from small amounts for individual orders to larger sums for bulk purchases. The total number of complaints registered against the accused reached 27, indicating a widespread and organized operation.
Evidence Recovered
Police seized four Android mobile phones, ₹550 in cash, 13 bank passbooks, a cheque book, five ATM cards, nine SIM cards, 30 dummy parcel packages, and associated packaging materials. Digital forensic analysis of the phones revealed extensive WhatsApp chats, transaction histories, and other communications confirming the systematic nature of the fraud.
Investigation and Legal Action
The Cyber Crime Unit has filed an FIR under various sections of the Information Technology Act and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code. Police have emphasized that the operation was carefully planned, with the accused continuously creating new fake shopping pages to target unsuspecting buyers across India.
Experts note that the increasing use of social media platforms like Instagram for fraudulent online transactions highlights the urgent need for customer awareness and robust digital monitoring mechanisms. Law enforcement authorities have reiterated that consumers should verify sellers and avoid advance payments without proper authentication.
