A cybercrime gang member, a BCA student, was arrested by the Crime Branch and Bhawanpur police for allegedly cheating people by offering to sell YouTube channels and Instagram accounts. The accused is said to have cheated more than 30 people across five states and committed fraud worth around ₹5 lakh. Police have sent the accused to judicial custody after producing him before the court.
Pratibimb Portal Leads to BCA Student Arrest
SP Crime Avneesh Kumar said that the cyber cell traced a suspicious mobile number during the investigation of pending complaints on the Pratibimb portal. The number was found linked to multiple fraud cases registered across five states. Based on technical surveillance and monitoring, police traced the location and arrested the accused Rishabh Khari from the Syal village area of Bhawanpur.
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Fake Ads Targeting Social Media Buyers
During interrogation, it was revealed that Rishabh Khari is a BCA student and has more than 86,000 followers on his social media account. Police alleged that he started cheating people about two years ago by posting advertisements claiming to sell social media channels and accounts.
The accused used to post fake advertisements on Instagram and YouTube offering social media accounts and channels for sale. When people from states including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana contacted him, he would ask them to transfer money to a bank account as advance payment. After receiving the money, he would block the victims’ phone numbers and stop all communication.
₹5 Lakh Fraud Across 5 States Exposed
Investigations revealed that the accused had been carrying out fraud activities for nearly one year. Police said he cheated multiple people of around ₹5 lakh. The fraud network is suspected to have links extending across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and several districts including Gautam Buddha Nagar and Mainpuri.
Ongoing Probe into Bank and Network Links
Officials stated that the accused’s criminal history is also being examined to determine whether other associates were involved in the fraud. The cyber cell is also investigating his bank accounts, digital transactions, and social media activities.
Police advised citizens to verify the authenticity of any social media account, channel, or online property before making a purchase. People were urged to avoid transferring money in the lure of cheap prices or promises of quick profit.
Authorities emphasized that with the rising number of cybercrime cases, public awareness is essential. People are advised to follow the official purchase or verification process of the concerned platform before trusting advertisements from unknown individuals.
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.
