Kanpur | A major organised cyber fraud racket operating through fake websites impersonating reputed companies has been busted in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur, where cyber criminals allegedly duped people by offering credit card limit enhancements, reward benefits and special online offers. The cyber crime team has arrested four accused in connection with the case, while the alleged mastermind, identified as Shubham Thakur, remains absconding. Investigators suspect that the network may have links with international cyber fraud syndicates operating from Cambodia and Malaysia.
According to investigators, the accused created fake websites closely resembling those of well-known companies and financial service providers. These portals were allegedly designed to trick users into sharing sensitive banking details, card credentials and OTP-based authentication information. Once the victims entered their data, the gang allegedly used it to siphon money from their bank accounts and execute unauthorised financial transactions.
FCRF’s Flagship Cyber Law Certification Returns With a New Four-Week Cohort
Police said ₹2.99 lakh in cash, a Mahindra 3XO vehicle, multiple mobile phones, banking documents and other digital evidence were recovered during the operation. Officials believe the racket had been functioning for a considerable period and may have targeted victims across multiple states through online campaigns and fraudulent customer support interactions.
Investigators revealed that the gang had rented a flat in Kanpur’s Geeta Nagar locality for approximately ₹9,000 per month and was operating the entire cyber fraud network from there. The apartment allegedly functioned as a makeshift call and digital operations centre where fake portals were managed and victims were contacted through spoofed calls and deceptive messages.
The arrested accused have been identified as Sahil Yadav, Prashant Gupta, Akash Saroj and Mohammad Meraj alias Mohammad Kaif. Police said Sahil was pursuing a B-Pharma course, while Prashant was a graduate student. The remaining accused were involved in small private jobs, but investigators suspect all of them were actively participating in organised cyber fraud activities.
According to the cyber crime unit, the gang used rented bank accounts to transfer and layer fraudulent proceeds, making it difficult for agencies to trace the actual beneficiaries and masterminds behind the operation. Authorities stated that at least 18 complaints linked to the network have already been registered on the national cyber crime reporting portal. Several victims reportedly received calls or messages promising enhanced credit card limits, reward point redemption and exclusive banking benefits.
The case surfaced after a Kanpur resident, Varun Sonkar, approached the cyber crime police station with a complaint alleging misuse of his bank account. According to investigators, the accused allegedly manipulated him into providing account access and subsequently routed nearly ₹13 lakh through the account in multiple transactions. Following the complaint, cyber investigators began analysing digital trails, surveillance inputs, communication records and financial transaction patterns.
Police first apprehended Sahil Yadav using surveillance inputs near the Shiv Narayan Tandon bridge area. Based on his interrogation and disclosures, the remaining accused were later arrested from the rented flat in Geeta Nagar. Investigators are now focusing on tracking the absconding mastermind and examining possible overseas operational links connected to Southeast Asian cyber scam modules.
Cyber security experts say fake website fraud has become one of the fastest-growing forms of financial cybercrime because criminals increasingly replicate official company logos, website layouts and customer service structures with high accuracy. In many cases, the fake portals appear so convincing that ordinary users fail to distinguish them from genuine banking or corporate platforms.
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said cyber criminals are increasingly relying on social engineering tactics, fraudulent domains and fake customer support ecosystems to manipulate victims. He warned that people should exercise extreme caution while responding to calls, links or messages related to credit card limit upgrades, KYC updates, banking offers or reward redemption schemes. According to him, sharing OTPs, banking credentials or card information on unknown websites can expose users to serious financial losses within minutes.
Officials are now examining the gang’s financial transactions, digital infrastructure, SIM card usage and linked bank accounts to determine the full scale of the operation. Investigators suspect the racket may be part of a much larger cyber fraud ecosystem operating across several Indian states with possible international handlers coordinating online scams remotely.
