Lucknow: In a major breakthrough in the alleged ₹250 crore international cyber fraud case, the Lucknow Police have arrested the alleged mastermind, Vineet Dharmendra Vashishtha, along with his associates Nayakar Jayaraj alias Charles and Rinki Das Gupta, with the assistance of the Kolkata Police. The three accused are being brought to Lucknow on transit remand for further investigation.
Alleged Mastermind Arrested From Kolkata
Police had earlier announced a reward of ₹25,000 for information leading to the arrest of Vashishtha.
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According to investigators, the accused had switched off their mobile phones after the alleged fraud came to light in an attempt to evade arrest. Police said surveillance-based intelligence and information gathered from their associates helped trace their location in Kolkata.
At the time of arrest, no mobile phones were recovered from the accused. However, investigators said electronic evidence seized during searches at the alleged fake call centre operating from Summit Building in Lucknow linked the three accused to the case.
Fake Call Centre Targeted Foreign Nationals
Police allege that the accused were involved in operating a fraudulent call centre that targeted foreign nationals and generated illegal proceeds exceeding ₹250 crore.
During the investigation, officials also found indications that the Indian operation was allegedly managed under the direction of an alleged kingpin based in the United States.
According to investigators, Vineet Vashishtha and Nayakar Jayaraj are originally from Ahmedabad, while Rinki Das Gupta is a resident of Kolkata.
Senior officers are expected to conduct detailed questioning after the accused are brought to Lucknow. Police are also preparing to seek custodial remand of previously arrested alleged operation managers Lalit Khairajani and Vikram to further examine financial transactions, digital evidence and the alleged money trail.
Kolkata-Lucknow Link Under Probe
Police are also investigating a video circulated on social media that was claimed to have been recorded inside the alleged call centre and purported to show police personnel visiting the premises before the raid.
Preliminary verification, however, indicated that the viral video was from another location. Authorities are now examining the source of the misleading content and identifying those allegedly responsible for spreading misinformation.
Based on interrogation of the accused, police teams are conducting searches in several cities to identify other alleged members of the syndicate. Investigators are examining additional companies allegedly linked to the network and are verifying call detail records, financial transactions and suspected forged documents.
According to investigators, the alleged fraud network previously operated from Kolkata before shifting its activities to Lucknow following enforcement action by the Enforcement Directorate against VRM Business Services Private Limited and its directors.
Police are examining possible links between the Kolkata and Lucknow operations, as both are suspected to have followed a similar operating pattern and may have been coordinated by the same alleged overseas handler.
Investigators are also examining possible connections with another Kolkata-based entity, Austenix Solutions, which has been linked to alleged cyber fraud targeting Australian citizens. The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the accused are yet to be tested before the competent court.
