Agra: In one of Uttar Pradesh’s most sophisticated cybercrime operations, the Agra Police have dismantled an international fraud syndicate after a two-month undercover investigation, arresting 32 accused linked to a network allegedly controlled from Dubai. Officials said the case marks a rare instance where police officers themselves posed as cyber criminals to infiltrate a closed, compartmentalised fraud ecosystem.
The investigation revealed that the syndicate was masterminded by Nitin Bhagaur, an Agra native who shifted to Dubai after building a massive cyber fraud operation. Bhagaur allegedly ensured that he never directly used phone numbers, email IDs or bank accounts connected to fraud, insulating himself from detection while running the network remotely.
From Sweet Shop to Global Cyber Syndicate
According to police findings, Bhagaur once ran a small sweet shop in Agra. His entry into cyber fraud radically altered his fortunes. Within a few years, he amassed substantial wealth and relocated to Dubai, where he floated two shell companies — Medlar Global Excellence and Medlar Service Group — to give a legitimate façade to proceeds generated from fraud.
Investigators said the companies were used to route stolen money as business income, while Bhagaur lived a lavish life abroad. He allegedly relied on encrypted communication platforms, dark web tools and a tightly controlled chain of intermediaries to avoid leaving a digital footprint.
India Operations Managed by Local Handler
Day-to-day operations in India were allegedly handled by Ravi Rathore, a resident of Agra’s Tajganj area. Rathore acted as the syndicate’s on-ground commander — recruiting members, assigning roles, overseeing training and coordinating with the Dubai-based controller.
Police said Bhagaur would occasionally visit India to personally assess recruits before arranging Dubai visas under the guise of employment in his companies. Several young men were taken abroad through company-sponsored visas and trained in cyber fraud techniques before being deployed against Indian and foreign victims.
Breakthrough from NCRB Complaint
The case originated from a complaint registered on the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) portal. During technical analysis, police tracked one suspect using the Pratibimbh application. Interrogation revealed that the individual was part of Rathore’s network and ultimately reported to Bhagaur.
This disclosure prompted a deep dive into more than 200 suspicious mobile numbers, bank accounts and transaction chains. The decisive breakthrough came when investigators identified a financial transfer from a suspect account in India to one of Bhagaur’s Dubai-based company accounts — establishing a direct overseas money trail.
Police Go Undercover to Penetrate the Network
To avoid wrongful implication of innocent account holders, police adopted an unconventional undercover strategy. Officers posed as:
- Buyers of mule bank accounts
- SIM card brokers
- Cyber operatives seeking forged documents
They approached account sellers and public service centre operators to negotiate prices and services. This allowed investigators to distinguish between deliberate collaborators and unsuspecting individuals whose accounts had been misused.
Senior officers said this approach was critical, as the gang functioned on a cell-based model, where members knew only their immediate role and contact, preventing exposure of the larger hierarchy.
32 Arrested in Phased Crackdown
On Sunday, Tajganj Police arrested 24 cyber criminals in the first phase. An FIR named 10 accused, including Bhagaur. The following day, Ravi Rathore was arrested, taking the total number of arrests to 32.
Interrogation revealed strict division of labour within the syndicate. Some members sourced bank accounts, others procured SIM cards, while another group liaised with operators of public service centres to arrange documents for account opening. Only efficient performers were retained, while others were quietly removed.
Red Corner Notice Against Kingpin Planned
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (City) Aditya Kumar said a detailed report is being sent to the CBI to initiate the process for issuing a Red Corner Notice against Bhagaur.
“Key information has been obtained from Ravi Rathore. We are identifying remaining operatives and overseas links. This was a highly organised and insulated network,” Kumar said.
A Milestone in Cybercrime Policing
Police officials described the operation as a major milestone in tackling organised cybercrime, demonstrating how international fraud networks exploit shell companies, legal loopholes and vulnerable youth.
“This case shows that cybercrime today is not random—it is structured, corporate-like and transnational. Conventional policing is not enough. Intelligence-led and undercover strategies are now essential,” a senior officer said.
