Follow us on Google News
Kaushambi police, in a joint operation with cyber units, arrested two cyber thugs on January 8, 2026, for allegedly duping villagers into opening bank accounts used for online fraud amounting to over Rs 12 lakh. The duo, Sanjay Saroj from Bareisa village and Asif from Haryana’s Nuh district, employed deceptive tactics promising financial benefits to exploit vulnerable locals.
Final Call: FCRF Opens Last Registration Window for GRC and DPO Certifications
Complaint Triggers Swift Police Action
The arrests stemmed from a complaint filed by Vidyasagar Yadav, a resident of Alpi Ka Pura village under Manjhanpur police station. Yadav accused Sanjay Saroj of fraudulently opening an account in his name at Indian Overseas Bank in Manjhanpur, seizing his ATM card, and obtaining a SIM in his name to siphon off Rs 12 lakh via online transactions.
Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar confirmed the operation involved technical surveillance and electronic evidence. A special team tracked the accused, leading to their capture and recovery of incriminating items, including a Mahindra Thar vehicle with fake plates, three Aadhaar cards, three smartphones, 21 ATM cards, 17 SIMs, cheque books, three PAN cards, and eight fake vehicle number plates from various states.
Modus Operandi: Luring the Vulnerable
Interrogation revealed the accused targeted poor villagers with false promises of financial aid, government scheme benefits, online loans, and high-return share market investments. They retained ATM cards, SIMs, and cheque books post-account opening to facilitate cyber frauds across networks.
To evade detection, the pair frequently swapped fake number plates on their vehicle. This scam highlights a growing trend where fraudsters misuse mule accounts from rural areas for laundering proceeds from phishing, investment scams, and digital cons prevalent in Uttar Pradesh.
Broader Implications for Cyber Crime Fight
This bust underscores challenges in rural India, where low awareness enables account frauds fueling larger cyber syndicates. Police noted similar patterns in recent Kaushambi cases, urging villagers to verify account usage and report suspicious activities promptly.
The accused were produced in court post-interrogation, facing charges under cyber laws and cheating provisions. Authorities plan deeper probes into their network, amid rising national cyber complaints exceeding 1.2 million in 2025.
Items Recovered from Accused
- Mahindra Thar vehicle with fake plates
- 3 Aadhaar cards, 3 PAN cards
- 3 smartphones, 17 SIM cards
- 21 ATM cards, multiple cheque books
- 8 fake vehicle number plates
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
