Kanpur | The Cyber Crime Branch has busted a fraud gang operating by impersonating customs and police officials, arresting four people including a woman. The accused allegedly carried out cyber fraud using a messaging app through a Pakistani IP address.
According to officials, complaints were being received on the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’s Reflection Portal regarding the misuse of a Kanpur-based mobile number in multiple fraud incidents. The investigation revealed that the gang used a closed mobile number to conduct their operations.
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The fraudsters used to contact victims by posing as customs or police officers and intimidate them to extract money. The closed mobile number was being operated on a telecom service provider’s computer system in Kanpur, which allowed the messages to be sent without triggering alert notifications.
The arrested accused have been identified as Kamlesh Kumar Gautam from Bahraich, Vikas Gautam, Rakhi Mishra from Lakhimpur Kheri, and Deepak Sharma. Police said the gang operated from an IP address traced to Islamabad, Pakistan, while using the messaging application to send fraud messages along with a police profile picture to gain trust.
Officials also revealed that the number was functioning on a service provider’s computer system, which may have prevented detection. Several mobile phones, documents and other materials were recovered from the accused during the operation. Authorities are continuing their search for other members of the gang.
Investigations suggest that Kamlesh and Rakhi had previously worked in marketing jobs in Lakhimpur Kheri. Kamlesh had earlier served jail time and allegedly met Deepak Sharma during his incarceration, where they developed their criminal network.
Police said Kamlesh was the mastermind of the gang. Initially, he was involved in barcode-based fraud at petrol pumps. After coming out of jail, he helped form the gang. Vikas was responsible for arranging online money transfers, while Rakhi Mishra’s role was to lure victims by offering government scheme benefits, flats, and using threats.
According to police officials, the gang has allegedly cheated at least 36 people so far. Victims were reported from cities including Agra, Haridwar, Shravasti, Patna, Sasaram, and Jaipur. The police are searching for other members involved in the network.
Authorities also plan to interrogate staff members of the telecom company’s Kanpur office to determine how a WhatsApp number was activated on the server number without their knowledge. Investigators are also examining whether any internal staff had links with the gang.
Cybercrime experts have warned that such gangs are increasingly using international IP masking and communication spoofing techniques to avoid detection. The case highlights the growing sophistication of cross-border cyber fraud networks targeting Indian users.
Police have intensified the search for remaining suspects and are collecting technical evidence to trace the international and domestic connections of the gang. Further legal proceedings are underway.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
