Lucknow: In a significant breakthrough in the multi-crore Shine City land investment fraud case, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested Mohammad Shamshad Ansari alias Guddu, an accused who had been absconding for nearly four years. Authorities had announced a reward of ₹1 lakh for information leading to his arrest. Investigators said he was apprehended in Prayagraj after a prolonged search.
Accused Arrested In Prayagraj
According to STF officials, the arrest was made near GT Road in the Utraon area of Prayagraj. The accused was wanted in multiple cases involving alleged cheating of investors through land and plot investment schemes. He was being sought in three separate cases registered at Kotwali Nagar police station in Sultanpur.
Registration Begins for FutureCrime Summit 2026, India’s Largest Cybercrime Conference
Investigators said Ansari initially worked in the merchant navy before becoming associated with a network involved in real estate and land investment activities. Authorities allege that he played a key role in encouraging investors to participate in various land and plot schemes promoted by the organisation.
Shine City Links Under Probe
During questioning, Ansari reportedly told investigators that he first came into contact with Asif Naseem, one of the key accused linked to the Shine City network, in 2001 while working in the merchant navy. He later joined the business in 2014 after being attracted by the prospect of higher earnings. Investigators claim that he subsequently worked as an assistant director with a company linked to the group in Sultanpur.
Police allege that the accused was part of a network that collected money from investors under land and plot investment schemes but failed to provide the promised allotments or returns. Over the years, numerous investors reportedly lodged complaints alleging financial losses in connection with the schemes.
Four-Year Search Ends
According to investigators, Ansari managed to evade arrest for several years by continuously changing locations and avoiding law enforcement agencies. Following his arrest, authorities are expected to intensify their probe into the wider network and the flow of funds connected to the alleged fraud.
The accused is facing charges related to criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, use of forged documents, mischief, and criminal conspiracy. Investigators are now examining the extent of his involvement in the alleged fraud, including his role in mobilising investments and interacting with investors.
Investor Fraud Probe Continues
The Shine City case is regarded as one of the most prominent investment fraud investigations in Uttar Pradesh, involving allegations that large sums of money were collected from investors through land investment schemes. Law enforcement agencies have been tracking the accused and investigating financial transactions linked to the case for several years.
The accused has been produced before the appropriate court for further legal proceedings. The investigation remains ongoing, and under the law, the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
