A cybercrime police team in Uttar Pradesh’s Basti district has arrested an alleged member of an organised gang accused of carrying out cyber fraud worth crores of rupees by impersonating directors and chief executive officers of reputed companies and deceiving bank branch managers through WhatsApp calls and messages. Police said the accused was arrested on June 30 in connection with an earlier case registered after a jewellery payment led to the freezing of a bank transaction.
Gang Allegedly Targeted Banks Through CEO Impersonation
According to the police press note, the case stems from a complaint filed after online payment of ₹20.66 lakh for the purchase of gold coins resulted in a transaction freeze. A case was subsequently registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
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During the investigation, the cybercrime police arrested one alleged gang member and recovered bank account statements, cash and other materials from his possession. Police said the operation was carried out under the supervision of senior district officers as part of an ongoing drive against cybercrime.
Fake WhatsApp Accounts Used to Divert Funds
During questioning, the accused allegedly disclosed that the gang opened bank accounts using Aadhaar cards with altered addresses and then impersonated directors or CEOs of well-known companies by creating fake WhatsApp accounts.
Investigators said the gang allegedly contacted bank area managers, claimed to be company executives travelling outside the city and instructed them to transfer money through NEFT or RTGS to accounts provided by the fraudsters. The funds were then allegedly withdrawn through cheques, ATMs and UPI transactions.
Police further alleged that when cash withdrawals were not immediately possible, gang members used the fraudulently obtained money to purchase gold coins from reputed jewellery shops through online payments.
Investigation Continues Into Wider Network
The arrested accused has been identified as Atul Mishra. Three other persons from Gonda district had earlier been arrested in connection with the same case.
Police said the investigation is continuing to identify other members of the organised network and examine its operations across multiple states. The cybercrime police team involved in the arrest has also been named in the official press note.
