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Agra | A man who once struggled with poverty and dropped out of school after Class VIII has now emerged as the alleged mastermind of a sprawling international cyber fraud network worth over ₹300 crore. In what officials have described as the biggest cybercrime operation ever carried out by the Agra Commissionerate Police, a Dubai-based fraud racket has been dismantled with the arrest of 24 accused from Agra’s Tajganj area.
The alleged kingpin, Nitin Bhagaur, is currently believed to be operating from Dubai, where he allegedly ran the entire syndicate remotely. Police have initiated the process of issuing a Red Corner Notice through Interpol to secure his arrest and extradition to India.
Senior officers said Bhagaur’s transformation from a financially distressed youth to the head of a transnational cybercrime network highlights the alarming rise of organised digital fraud powered by technology, forged identities and international money-laundering channels.
Bogus Companies in Dubai, Fraud Operations in India
Investigations revealed that Bhagaur floated fake companies in Dubai, including Medler Global Excellence and Medler Service Group, to channel money stolen from Indian victims. Funds collected through cyber fraud were routed to these overseas entities and later converted into cryptocurrency to erase transaction trails and evade financial scrutiny.
Police said this model allowed the accused to move crores of rupees across borders within minutes, beyond the immediate reach of Indian banking surveillance systems.
Day-to-day operations within India were allegedly handled by Bhagaur’s close associate Ravi Rathore, who coordinated scammers, managed bank accounts and supervised money transfers. Rathore is currently absconding, but police said his location has been identified and his arrest is expected soon.
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Multiple Fraud Techniques Used to Trap Victims
According to police, the network deployed a wide range of cyber fraud techniques, targeting victims across multiple states:
- “Digital arrest” scams, where victims were threatened by imposters posing as police or investigative officers
- APK files sent via WhatsApp and Telegram to gain remote access to mobile phones
- Fake UPI links that enabled instant bank withdrawals
- Misleading Google advertisements redirecting users to fraudulent platforms
- Cryptocurrency investment scams promising unusually high returns
In several cases, victims were initially paid small returns to build trust before being defrauded of larger sums.
Rented Bank Accounts, Fake Aadhaar Cards and Commission Network
Police said the stolen money was first deposited into fake or rented bank accounts, many opened using forged Aadhaar cards. These accounts were layered through multiple transfers before the funds reached the kingpin.
Each member of the gang earned commissions based on their role — from calling victims to arranging SIM cards and bank accounts.
Additional Commissioner of Police (City) Aditya Kumar said interrogation has revealed the involvement of bank employees, public service centre operators and other facilitators. More than 100 individuals are currently under scrutiny.
“All Aadhaar cards recovered during the raids were found to be forged,” he said.
Role of Aadhaar Service Centre and SIM Supply Exposed
The investigation uncovered the role of an Aadhaar service centre operator in Sikandra. A man identified as Pawan, who ran the centre, allegedly supplied SIM cards, internet connections, dongles and documentation required to open fraudulent bank accounts.
These resources formed the technical backbone of the operation, enabling scammers to operate continuously without detection.
Major Seizures, Several Accused Still Absconding
During the raids, police seized:
- 26 mobile phones
- 2 laptops and 2 printers
- 22 debit cards
- 9 cheque books and passbooks
- 4 fake Aadhaar cards
- Cash and digital storage devices
Officials said the seized material demonstrates the organised, professional and large-scale nature of the operation.
While 24 accused have been arrested, several key figures — including Nitin Bhagaur and Ravi Rathore — remain absconding. Police said only after their arrest will the full scale of the fraud, number of victims and international linkages be conclusively established.
Police Call It a Landmark Cybercrime Case
Senior officers said the case marks a turning point in cybercrime enforcement in the region.
“This is not a local scam. It is a structured international cybercrime syndicate operated from abroad,” a senior police officer said. “The crackdown sends a clear message — cybercriminals cannot hide behind borders or technology.”
The Agra Commissionerate Police confirmed that further arrests, property attachments and international coordination are expected as the investigation progresses.
