Chandauli: Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested 12 alleged interstate cyber fraud suspects during a special enforcement drive named ‘Cyber Braj Campaign’ in Chandauli district. As part of the operation, police froze approximately ₹1.40 crore held in various bank accounts identified during the investigation. Authorities also stated that the arrested individuals are allegedly linked to more than 51 cyber fraud complaints registered across different states and districts in India.
According to police, the operation was carried out under the supervision of the district police chief by nine joint teams comprising the Cyber Cell, Cyber Crime Police Station and personnel from various local police stations. The campaign targeted alleged cybercriminal networks involved in operating mule bank accounts, using suspicious mobile numbers, exploiting information received through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) tipline, conducting suspicious cheque withdrawals and ATM transactions, and carrying out online extortion by threatening victims with the circulation of obscene videos or photographs.
The arrested suspects include residents of Chandauli, Jhansi, Farrukhabad and Puducherry. Police identified them as Vikas Kumar, Virendra Kumar, Ashish Patwa, Soni, Sajid Ansari, Shivjanam, Shekhar Kushwaha, Manoj Yadav, Dharmendra Chauhan, Satish Rai, Shubham and Deepak Singh. Investigators allege that they were involved in multiple cyber fraud activities.
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Preliminary investigations indicate that police are examining the bank accounts and digital financial transactions allegedly used by the suspects. Investigators are attempting to determine how the bank accounts, mobile connections, digital payment instruments and other technological resources were used in the alleged cyber offences, and whether additional individuals were associated with the network.
During the campaign, police registered 14 criminal cases across different police stations. Investigating agencies are now conducting forensic examinations of seized digital devices, banking records, mobile phone data, call detail records, IP logs and other electronic evidence to trace the operational network and follow the flow of funds.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that the misuse of mule bank accounts, fraudulent mobile connections and digital payment platforms has become increasingly common in cybercrime. He noted that detailed analysis of banking trails, mobile forensics, digital devices and financial transactions can help investigators uncover the complete criminal network. He also advised the public not to allow unknown individuals to use their bank accounts and to remain cautious of fraudulent investment schemes, fake job offers, bogus online trading platforms and sextortion scams. Any suspicious activity, he said, should be reported immediately to the appropriate authorities.
Experts believe that effective control of cybercrime requires coordinated investigations across states, rapid information sharing with financial institutions, timely preservation of digital evidence and advanced technical analysis. Promptly freezing suspicious bank accounts and securing digital transaction trails can significantly improve the chances of tracing stolen funds and identifying those responsible.
Police said the investigation is continuing and all arrested suspects are being questioned. Authorities added that the digital and financial evidence collected so far is being analysed to identify the full extent of the alleged network. If further links to additional individuals, bank accounts or other states emerge during the investigation, appropriate legal action will be taken in accordance with the law. The outcome of the case will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation and the evidence collected.
