Jaipur Police have busted an alleged cyber fraud gang that operated in the name of online gaming IDs and arrested three accused for cheating users through fake SIM cards, bank accounts and a private gaming portal. Police said the gang targeted young people through social media by promising high earnings from gaming platforms and online earning opportunities.
The arrested accused have been identified as Harphool Yadav, Rajendra Kumar Rulania and Vijendra Kumar. Police recovered laptops, tablets, mobile phones, multiple SIM cards, debit cards, cheque books and account records from their possession, which were allegedly being used to operate and manage the fraudulent network.
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Social Media Used to Lure Young Victims
According to officials, the accused used attractive advertisements and messages on social media to draw victims into the scheme. Users were then connected to an online gaming portal where they were issued gaming IDs and encouraged to purchase coins in the name of investment.
Police said the gang initially showed small profits to gain the confidence of users. Once victims began investing larger amounts, the fraud mechanism was activated through the gaming platform.
Investigators found that users were cheated in both winning and losing situations. Money lost during gaming allegedly went directly to the accused, while users who won often found their IDs suddenly blocked.
Fake SIMs and Bank Accounts Used to Hide Transactions
Police said the accused used fake SIM cards and bank accounts opened in the names of different individuals to conceal financial transactions and avoid identification. Digital records recovered during the investigation have revealed links to multiple fake accounts, which are now being examined in detail.
After blocking winning users’ IDs, the accused allegedly demanded more money in the name of verification charges or withdrawal fees. This allowed the gang to repeatedly extract funds from victims under different pretexts.
Authorities said the use of fake SIM cards and bank accounts remains a major challenge in such cyber fraud cases, as it helps criminals hide their identities and move money through multiple channels.
Inter-State Links Under Investigation
Police officials said preliminary investigation suggests that the gang may have been operating through a wider inter-state network. Cyber teams are now working to freeze the bank accounts linked to the fraud and trace other people involved in the operation.
Cyber security expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said such scams rely on psychological manipulation, where victims are first shown small gains before being pressured to invest larger amounts. He said gaming and investment-related frauds are emerging as a serious concern.
Police have urged citizens not to click on unknown links or invest through unverified gaming apps and websites. Officials said timely reporting of such frauds can improve the chances of tracing accounts and recovering lost funds.
