A cyber fraud case involving electricity meter update scams has been busted by Shahdara district cyber police, leading to the arrest of a key accused from Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh. The case involves cheating of over ₹20 lakh from a Delhi resident using a sophisticated digital fraud mechanism involving fake calls, mobile hacking, and fraudulent payment requests.
The accused, identified as Dhananjay Gond (30), a resident of village Churamanpur in Ghazipur, was arrested after sustained investigation. Police also recovered a mobile phone from his possession, which is believed to contain crucial evidence related to the scam network. Two other accused, Shivkumar and Anshu Kumar, were arrested earlier in the case and are currently in judicial custody.
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How the ₹13 “Verification” Payment Unlocked ₹20 Lakh Theft
The fraud came to light after a complaint was filed by a resident of Mansarovar Park in Shahdara, who reported that he had been cheated of ₹20,26,035 under the pretext of an electricity meter update. The victim was contacted by fraudsters who posed as electricity department representatives and warned him of urgent meter verification.
According to the complaint, the scammers instructed the victim to complete a nominal verification payment of just ₹13 through a digital payment platform such as PhonePe. This small transaction was used as a trap to gain access to the victim’s mobile device and financial applications. Shortly after the payment, the victim’s phone reportedly began malfunctioning, and unauthorized transactions started taking place from his bank accounts.
Investigators revealed that the fraudsters used advanced phishing techniques to gain remote access to the victim’s phone. Once access was obtained, multiple transactions were carried out in phases, draining over ₹20 lakh from different bank accounts linked to the victim.
CSC‑Linked Cyber Network and Role of Middlemen
Further investigation exposed a wider cybercrime network operating through Common Service Centers (CSCs). The arrested accused allegedly supplied CSC login IDs and passwords to cyber fraud groups, enabling them to route stolen money through seemingly legitimate channels. This system helped criminals hide transaction trails and avoid immediate detection by banks and authorities.
Officials stated that Dhananjay Gond played a crucial role in facilitating this operation by acting as a middleman. He allegedly provided access credentials that allowed cybercriminals to use digital infrastructure for laundering fraud money. The investigation suggests that this was not an isolated incident but part of a larger organized cyber fraud network operating across multiple states.
During interrogation, it was revealed that the fraudsters used psychological manipulation techniques, creating urgency and fear by claiming that the electricity connection would be disconnected if immediate action was not taken. This pressure tactic made the victim comply without verifying the authenticity of the call.
Warnings and Ongoing Probe
Cyber experts involved in the investigation said that such scams are becoming increasingly common, where fraudsters exploit trust in utility services and government-linked processes. The use of small initial payments, like the ₹13 transaction in this case, is a known method to gain access to mobile devices or payment gateways.
Authorities have also begun tracing financial trails linked to the accused to identify additional beneficiaries and possible accomplices. Digital forensic analysis of seized devices is underway to map the complete network structure and identify other victims connected to the same fraud ring.
Police officials have urged citizens to remain cautious and verify any communication related to electricity bills or meter updates directly through official service providers. They also warned against sharing personal or banking details over phone calls or unknown links.
The case highlights the growing complexity of cyber fraud operations, where simple utility-related scams are being used as entry points for large-scale financial crimes. Investigators believe more arrests may follow as the network is further unraveled and linked accounts are identified.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to dismantle the entire chain of cybercriminals involved in the operation.
