Ghazibad, Police Bureau — Authorities have uncovered a sophisticated criminal network that defrauded citizens of over ₹1 crore under the pretext of allocating gas agencies. Three members of the gang have been arrested, while investigations into the full extent of the fraud continue.
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The Modus Operandi
According to police, the gang posed as representatives of reputable gas companies, luring individuals with promises of agency allotments. Victims were asked to pay fees ranging from ₹15 lakh to ₹70 lakh for registration and other administrative costs.
Social Media Deception: The criminals ran fake advertisements across social media platforms, directing prospective victims to fraudulent websites.
Counterfeit Websites: These websites were nearly identical to legitimate agency portals, requesting personal information and payments from unsuspecting individuals.
A victim told the police,
“They convinced me that the process was genuine. After transferring the money, I realized I had fallen victim to a scam.”
The Arrests
Authorities have apprehended Anup Kumar Singh, Krishnanand, and Hemendra Singh, residents of Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Police reports indicate that the gang operated across seven states, targeting individuals with consistent and organized methods.
Additional Cases
Chandigarh: ₹3,100 defrauded under the guise of a gas agency allocation.
Rajasthan: ₹7 lakh extorted for gas agency allotment.
Kerala: ₹11,500 and ₹12 lakh defrauded in separate incidents, including one under the pretext of employment.
Expert Insight
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh remarked:
“These gangs are exploiting the opportunities created by Digital India. Victims often trust screenshots or fake websites, which leads to significant losses. The foundation of security must be strengthened—relying on appearances alone is now extremely risky. Verification should always occur through official banking portals or recognized applications.”
Authorities’ Advisory
Police and cybersecurity agencies have warned the public to avoid apps or links from unknown sources. Citizens are urged to report any suspicious activity immediately to local police stations or the National Cyber Crime Portal.
