Kanpur: A major cyber fraud racket has been exposed, revealing a highly organised international network operating through fear, deception, and digital manipulation. In a shocking case, a retired Assistant Director of Industries and his wife were digitally “held hostage” for eight days and defrauded of ₹57 lakh after being falsely accused of links to terror funding related to the Pulwama attack.
The victims, Bhairav Prasad Pandey, a resident of Rambagh area in Kanpur, and his wife were targeted between 10 April and 18 April. The accused allegedly posed as law enforcement or investigative officials and claimed that the couple’s bank accounts were being used for terrorist financing. Under intense psychological pressure, the couple was continuously monitored through calls and threats, forcing them to transfer money into multiple bank accounts controlled by the gang.
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CISF Constable Named as Alleged Mastermind
Investigations have now revealed that the operation was not limited to local actors but was part of a structured cybercrime syndicate. According to statements from arrested suspects, the alleged mastermind is a CISF constable posted in Rourkela, identified as Dawood Ansari. He is believed to have facilitated access to Indian bank accounts for cybercriminals operating from Cambodia and other foreign locations. These accounts were allegedly used to layer and route stolen money in order to avoid detection.
During interrogation, Dawood Ansari claimed he was not directly involved in the fraud but only acted as a facilitator by providing banking channels to foreign handlers. However, investigators are examining the credibility of his statement and assessing the full extent of his involvement and operational reach.
Multiple Arrests Across Kanpur, Jharkhand
Several arrests have already been made in connection with the case. Locally, suspects identified as Jai Prakash from Jawahar Nagar, Vinay Pratap Singh from Raipurwa, Shubhankar Singh from Purana Sisamau, and Vikram Singh have been detained. Additionally, Raju Thakur from Bokaro in Jharkhand was arrested for allegedly handling banking coordination and transaction support for the syndicate.
How ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams Trap Victims
Officials familiar with the investigation stated that “digital arrest” scams typically involve criminals impersonating police or investigative agencies, creating extreme psychological pressure on victims through video calls, fabricated legal charges, and threats of immediate arrest. In this case, the victims were kept under constant digital surveillance-like conditions, amplifying fear and confusion.
The investigation also revealed that the fraud proceeds were quickly moved through multiple financial channels to avoid tracking. The gang allegedly used forged identities, mule accounts, and layered transfers to obscure the money trail and complicate recovery efforts.
Foreign Links Under Investigation
Authorities are now investigating whether the racket is part of a larger international cybercrime syndicate with cross-border operations. Early findings suggest strong foreign linkages, particularly with handlers operating from Southeast Asia, including Cambodia. Officials have urged citizens to remain cautious and verify any such claims independently before transferring money or sharing sensitive information.
