SONBHADRA: The investigation into an alleged cyber fraud involving more than ₹11 crore in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district has widened, with four additional organisations coming under scrutiny alongside the Satya Sanatan Trust.
Bank accounts belonging to these organisations were allegedly used to route proceeds of the fraud. Two of the organisations are reportedly registered at addresses in Sonbhadra. Information about their possible involvement emerged during the interrogation of three accused arrested in Bhopal, prompting police to examine their bank accounts and suspicious transactions. Preliminary findings suggest that the alleged network extended across 10 states, including Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
The three accused arrested in Bhopal were brought to Sonbhadra on Tuesday night on transit remand. They were produced before a court on Wednesday and subsequently sent to the district jail for 14 days of judicial custody. Investigators are now working to establish the number of people involved in the alleged network, identify the bank accounts used to move the money and determine who managed the transfer of the suspected proceeds into multiple accounts.
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Over ₹4 Crore Credited to Trust Account in Four Days
According to the police investigation, money allegedly obtained through cyber fraud was transferred from Rewa to the Renukoot-based bank account of the Satya Sanatan Trust between March 13 and March 16. More than ₹4 crore was credited to the account within just four days. The money was subsequently transferred to over 150 separate bank accounts, raising questions about the movement of such a large sum through multiple accounts over a short period.
Police are attempting to identify the individuals operating these accounts, trace the recipients of the transferred funds and determine how the money was ultimately used. Following the emergence of four additional organisations during the investigation, officials are also examining who controlled their accounts, the nature of their financial transactions and their possible links to the alleged network. However, the precise role of these organisations and the alleged use of their accounts will be established only after the investigation is completed.
Alleged Fraud Exceeds ₹11 Crore Across 10 States
The Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) disclosed details of the case at the police lines on Wednesday afternoon. According to the police, the alleged cyber fraud linked to the Satya Sanatan Trust first came to light on October 16. Subsequent inquiries indicated that the suspected network had connections across 10 states. Investigators have so far identified alleged fraud amounting to more than ₹11 crore through the network.
A total of 35 complaints linked to the case have been found on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Police are examining these complaints to establish connections between the victims, suspicious bank accounts and the movement of funds. Given that the money was transferred through numerous accounts, identifying its original source and the ultimate beneficiaries has become a key focus of the investigation.
Eight Arrests in Sonbhadra and Bhopal
In connection with the case, police had earlier arrested five people in Sonbhadra: Satya Sanatan Trust chairman Harikesh Pandey, also known as Rishikesh; his associate Anjani Kumar; Vedant Maurya; Pravesh Raj Singh; and Jonsin Krishayan, also known as Rajesh.
Investigators are examining the alleged roles of these individuals and their possible involvement in transactions involving money credited to the trust’s bank account.
Separately, three people—Jai Kumar Pandey, Rajesh Poddar and Babbu Prasad Prajapati—were arrested in Bhopal for their alleged involvement in operating the cyber fraud network. They were apprehended near Yadav Tea Stall at the C-Sector intersection in Bhopal.
The three were subsequently brought to Sonbhadra on transit remand and produced before a court. Following the hearing, they were sent to the district jail for 14 days of judicial custody.
Police are now investigating the possible links between the accused arrested in the two locations and examining whether they coordinated the movement of money through the suspected network.
Accounts of Four More Organisations Under Scrutiny
The identification of four additional organisations besides the Satya Sanatan Trust has expanded the scope of the investigation. The fact that two of these organisations are reportedly registered at addresses in Sonbhadra has also drawn the attention of investigators.
Police are attempting to establish why the bank accounts of these organisations were opened and whether they were used to receive proceeds of the alleged fraud or transfer the money to other accounts. Investigators are also examining financial records and other relevant documents to determine whether the organisations had any direct or indirect links with the accused.
The investigation has so far uncovered an alleged network spanning 10 states, suspected fraud exceeding ₹11 crore, 35 complaints and transfers involving more than 150 bank accounts.
Police are analysing banking records, financial documents and information obtained during the interrogation of the accused to identify additional suspects and establish the complete chain of transactions. Further details are expected to emerge as investigators trace the source of the funds, identify the ultimate beneficiaries and examine the possible involvement of other individuals and organisations.
