Bhadohi. Police in Sant Ravidas Nagar have exposed an organised fraud racket that allegedly cheated gold traders using fake digital payment applications and forged “Payment Successful” screenshots. Acting on the directions of the Superintendent of Police, cases have been registered against five accused under the Gangster Act as investigators probe the wider inter-district network.
Fake Screenshots Used to Cheat Jewellers
According to police officials, the gang used a counterfeit mobile application designed to resemble real-time banking transactions. After selecting jewellery items from shops, the accused allegedly generated fake payment confirmations and sent screenshots to shopkeepers through WhatsApp.
FCRF Academy Launches Premier Anti-Money Laundering Certification Program
Trusting the apparent digital proof, several jewellers handed over ornaments, only to later find that no money had been credited to their accounts. Police said the stolen jewellery included gold rings, earrings, bangles and mangalsutras.
Stolen Jewellery Melted and Sold as Bullion
Investigators said the stolen ornaments were quickly melted and converted into bullion bars before being sold in the open market to erase traceability. The network is believed to have operated across multiple districts, targeting small and medium-scale jewellery shops.
The gang was reportedly led by Jyotish Dubey, a resident of Nadini area under Vindhyachal police station in Mirzapur. Other accused named in the case include Ajit Kumar Singh, Pawan Seth, Saurabh Mishra and Nitin Pandey. Police said all accused have prior criminal records and were already linked to multiple cheating and fraud cases in different jurisdictions.
Gangster Act Invoked as Wider Network Probed
Police said many victims did not initially come forward due to fear and intimidation. Some traders were allegedly threatened after demanding payment or trying to report the fraud.
Investigators found that the group functioned as a coordinated inter-district syndicate, with separate roles for digital setup, logistics and disposal of stolen jewellery. Following multiple complaints, police traced the accused through technical surveillance, mobile data analysis and transaction pattern studies.
An FIR has been registered at Gopiganj police station under Section 3(1) of the Gangster Act and the Uttar Pradesh Gangster and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986. Authorities have also initiated proceedings to attach properties linked to the accused.
Police have advised jewellers and traders to verify payments directly through banking channels before releasing goods and not rely solely on WhatsApp screenshots or app-based confirmations. The investigation is continuing, with authorities looking for additional victims and possible links across other districts.
