Greater Noida police on Friday arrested eight people accused of running an online betting and gaming fraud from a rented apartment in a residential tower in the Bisrakh area, uncovering a sophisticated operation built on forged identities, deceptive gaming platforms and a network of fake bank accounts.
Investigators say the accused lured victims with small, guaranteed returns to draw them into depositing larger amounts. The scheme relied heavily on cricket betting, online casino games, “aviator,” and roulette, all promoted through social media advertisements that promised overnight profits.
A Flat Turned Into a Fraud Hub
When officers entered the apartment, they found what one official described as “a fully functional digital fraud assembly line.”
Inside the cramped living room, seven men and a woman sat around tables, logging into mobile phones and laptops. Scattered across the flat were bundles of bank passbooks, debit cards, SIM cards and reams of forged documents.
Police recovered 159 forged passbooks, 95 fake cheque books, 131 counterfeit ATM cards, 114 SIM cards, 61 mobile phones, seven laptops, a tablet and ₹39,670 in cash.
“This was not a casual setup. It was an organised structure,” said Shakti Mohan Awasthi, the deputy commissioner of police (Central Noida).
Inside the Fraud Scheme
According to investigators, the gang used stolen or purchased identity documents to obtain pre-activated SIM cards already registered under unsuspecting individuals. These SIMs were then used to open fraudulent bank accounts, creating layers of anonymity.
Two key suspects — Ankit Singh, 24, and his wife, Kirti Singh, 23 — allegedly operated the central betting platform, drawing users through targeted online promotions and promising high returns.
“The money collected was routed entirely through fake accounts,” Awasthi said.
A Mastermind Known Only as “Leo”
The suspects told police that the entire operation was coordinated by a person who identified himself only as “Leo.”
Operating remotely, he directed the team through phone calls and digital communication, instructing them how to execute the fraud and manage victims’ deposits. Police have not yet established his real identity, though a separate team is attempting to trace him.
Suspicion From Neighbours Sparked the Raid
Local residents, noticing frequent movement of unfamiliar young men at odd hours, alerted authorities. The information prompted the Bisrakh police station to carry out a raid that resulted in the arrests.
The eight accused have been booked under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including cheating, identity fraud and forgery of valuable security.
The total amount siphoned off remains unclear and will be determined after a comprehensive analysis of bank transactions. “This is likely to run into significant figures,” said station house officer Manoj Kumar Singh.
