The Cyber Crime Police in Hardoi have arrested two men from Morena in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly defrauding a local resident of Rs 19.16 lakh on the pretext of securing him a job abroad. Investigators revealed that the internet protocol address linked to the social media accounts used in the scam traces back to Pakistan. Eight other suspects connected to the suspected fraudulent syndicate have also been taken into custody in the Shyamgarh area of Morena, while officers seized Rs 35,670 in cash alongside six mobile phones from the primary accused.
Social Media Trap and Multiple Bank Transfers
The case emerged after Masjood Ali, a resident of Mallawan in Hardoi district, submitted a formal complaint to the Cyber Crime Police on November 20, 2025. Ali stated that he had responded to an online advertisement offering assistance with overseas job placements. He was contacted by individuals identifying themselves as Mohammad Umar and Mohammad Ali, who promised to arrange employment abroad. Convinced that legitimate formal procedures were underway, the complainant transferred money across six separate bank accounts, handing over a cumulative sum of Rs 19.16 lakh before realising the job offer was fictitious.
Raids in Madhya Pradesh Yield Key Arrests
Acting on the complaint, an investigative team led by Cyber Crime Inspector Rajesh Sharma pursued technical leads under the supervision of Circle Officer Anil Singh. Officers focused on the trail of money transfers and questioned four account holders who had received the funds. The trail led to Yograj alias Johnny, a resident of Hari Parvat in Agra, and Adil, a resident of Firozabad, who had arranged for the victim’s money to be deposited into those specific accounts. Using call detail records and location tracking, police located the duo in Morena, conducted a raid on Friday night, and took both men into custody.
Foreign IP Footprint Under Scrutiny
A technical review of the communications confirmed that the WhatsApp numbers and Instagram profiles used to target the victim operated through an IP address associated with Pakistan. Circle Officer Anil Singh stated that while the digital footprint points across the border, investigators are gathering further evidence to ascertain the physical location of the individuals operating the accounts. Police are analysing data from the seized mobile handsets to map out the financial transactions, identify the ultimate beneficiaries, and determine if the syndicate targeted other job seekers across the country.
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