KANPUR. In a major breakthrough, police in the Shivrajpur area of Kanpur have busted a large cyber fraud syndicate involved in illegal transactions worth approximately ₹225 crore (over ₹2.25 billion). The racket had reportedly been active for the past three years, targeting victims across the country using mule bank accounts, cryptocurrency transactions, and impersonation-based intimidation techniques. Six key accused, including the alleged mastermind, have been arrested, while around six others remain absconding.
Raid Follows Cyber Complaints
The operation was launched after repeated complaints were registered on the NCRP (National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal) and the ‘Pratibimb’ app. Acting on 27 such complaints, police conducted a raid near a kacha road in Bahramapur village, which was being used as a base for the network’s operations.
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Those arrested include alleged mastermind Ranjan Katiyar (Thathiya, Kannauj), Suraj Kumar (Araul), Ashraf Khan, Rajdeep, Bhimratan, and Kamal, all linked to the Shivrajpur region. Police recovered five mobile phones, one tablet, ten bank passbooks, two cheque books, and twelve debit cards from their possession. The police team involved in the operation has been awarded ₹25,000 for its efforts.
450 Mule Accounts Used
Investigations revealed that the gang had expanded its network across nearby villages such as Kukri, Bhaisau, and Shivrajpur town. Local residents were allegedly lured with payments ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 to open bank accounts in their names or rent out their existing accounts. Around 450 such mule accounts were created and used to channel fraud proceeds and obscure financial trails.
A major revelation came during the probe involving a bank account registered under the name “Shri Ram Jan Seva Kendra,” which alone showed transactions worth nearly ₹10 crore. As many as 15 complaints linked to this account were registered on the NCRP portal. The account holder, a woman named Shubhanhi, told investigators she was unaware of such transactions, indicating that her credentials had been misused.
Crypto And P2P Trail Probed
The gang used advanced methods to conceal financial flows. According to police, the accused relied heavily on peer-to-peer (P2P) cryptocurrency trading via platforms coordinated through Telegram. Funds were converted into various cryptocurrencies, routed through multiple exchanges, and later withdrawn in cash through UPI and ATM channels, making it extremely difficult for investigators to trace the money trail.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) S.M. Qasim Abdi stated that new recruits in the gang were systematically trained. They were taught how to acquire mule accounts, communicate with victims over phone calls, and execute intimidation techniques such as “digital arrest.” Using these tactics, victims were coerced into transferring large sums of money.
Digital Arrest Tactics Exposed
Addressing the broader nature of such cybercrime ecosystems, renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh noted that such networks exploit weak links in the digital financial system, particularly mule accounts and unregulated crypto channels. He emphasized that without real-time coordination between banking systems, telecom operators, and digital platforms, along with stronger KYC enforcement, dismantling such syndicates would remain a significant challenge.
The accused used calls, WhatsApp messages, and Telegram-based communication to intimidate victims. They falsely claimed that the victims were linked to terrorist activities or had accessed illegal websites. Exploiting fear and social embarrassment, they pressured individuals into transferring money.
Police officials said the network was highly organised and technologically sophisticated, operating across multiple states with a structured hierarchy. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities expect further arrests and revelations as they continue to track the remaining members of the syndicate.
