Azamgarh: Uttar Pradesh Police have registered a case against a youth from Azamgarh and his alleged associate from Lucknow following a technical investigation into a ₹2.117 million cyber fraud carried out through a fake mobile application. Investigators found that a portion of the defrauded money was transferred to the accused’s bank account and later withdrawn through multiple ATM transactions. Police are now tracing the money trail and examining the role of other individuals linked to the alleged cybercrime network.
According to police, Sanjay Mehrotra, a resident of Sarojini Nagar in Lucknow, filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), alleging that he had been cheated of ₹2.117 million through a fraudulent mobile application. Based on the complaint, the Cyber Cell launched a detailed investigation by analysing banking transactions, digital records and other technical evidence.
During the investigation, police found that ₹90,000 from the defrauded amount was transferred on November 28, 2025, to a bank account later identified as belonging to Mohammad Zaid, a resident of Asifganj in Azamgarh. Technical analysis further revealed that the entire amount credited to the account was withdrawn through nine separate ATM transactions in Lucknow on the same day.
During questioning, Mohammad Zaid allegedly told investigators that he came into contact with a Lucknow resident identified as Taha while playing the online game PUBG. Police alleged that Taha lured him with the promise of easy money and obtained access to his bank passbook, ATM card and other banking facilities. Investigators claim that the account was subsequently used to receive proceeds of cyber fraud. Zaid allegedly admitted that he received ₹5,000 as commission for allowing the account to be used.
The Cyber Cell further found that Zaid’s bank account had allegedly been used in another cyber fraud case as well. Investigators suspect that the account functioned as a “mule account” to receive and transfer proceeds generated through online fraud before the money was withdrawn in cash.
Based on the findings, Kotwali Police have registered a case against Mohammad Zaid and Taha under relevant provisions relating to cyber fraud, criminal conspiracy and other applicable offences. Police are also investigating whether the accused were part of a larger interstate cybercrime syndicate.
Investigators are examining bank records, ATM CCTV footage, call detail records, digital devices, financial transactions and other electronic evidence. Efforts are also underway to identify the recipients of the remaining fraud proceeds and determine the involvement of other individuals connected to the network.
Cybersecurity experts caution that cybercriminals frequently exploit unemployed individuals or those seeking quick income by using their bank accounts and ATM cards as “mule accounts” to move illicit funds. They advise people never to share their bank accounts, passbooks, ATM cards, cheque books or internet banking credentials with anyone. Experts also warn that allowing banking facilities to be used in exchange for commission can make account holders liable to criminal investigation and legal action.
