Meerut: In a major crackdown on organised cyber crime, police in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district have registered a case under the Gangster Act against six members of the notorious “Sippa Gang,” accused of carrying out large-scale cyber financial fraud across the country.
Authorities have also initiated proceedings to seize movable and immovable assets allegedly acquired through the proceeds of crime.
Exploitation of Rural Welfare Infrastructure
According to investigators, the gang had been targeting poor and less educated individuals by luring them with promises linked to central government welfare schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Jan Dhan Yojana. Police claim the accused exploited public trust in these schemes to build a network of bank accounts later used for cyber fraud and suspicious financial transactions.
The investigation has identified Asif alias Sippa, a resident of Muzaffarnagar, as the alleged mastermind of the racket. Officials said gang members convinced unemployed youths and financially weak families that they could receive government benefits, commissions or financial assistance under welfare schemes. Victims were allegedly persuaded to open bank accounts in their own names.
Once the accounts were created, the accused allegedly took possession of the account holders’ debit cards, passbooks, cheque books, mobile phones and identity documents. Police say these accounts were subsequently used in cyber fraud operations and digital financial crimes committed in different parts of the country.
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Multi-Layered Shell Firms and Consolidated Volume Traces
Investigators believe the network operated in a highly organised manner, using multiple layers of financial and digital manipulation to avoid detection. Apart from Asif alias Sippa, the FIR also names Zamir alias Jameel, Naushad, Talib, Akbar and Taseen Ali as active members of the syndicate.
Police officials claim the accused misused banking systems and digital payment infrastructure to move and conceal large sums of money. During the probe, authorities discovered that the gang had allegedly created several shell firms to legitimise illegally obtained funds and disguise suspicious transactions.
According to police records, Talib’s alleged firm “TS Garment” recorded transactions exceeding ₹1.24 crore, while significant amounts were also traced through accounts linked to Naushad’s “NS Readymade Garment.” The alleged kingpin Asif is accused of operating another fake entity named “SA Chaudhary Garment,” through which crores of rupees were reportedly routed.
Investigators also found more than ₹69 lakh in suspicious transactions linked to accounts allegedly operated by Zamir. Based on the financial trail examined so far, police estimate that the gang carried out cyber fraud worth nearly ₹14.46 crore. Officials suspect the actual amount could increase as forensic analysis of bank records and digital transactions continues.
International Technical Links and Online Gaming Channels
The case has also revealed an international angle. During questioning, Asif reportedly told investigators that he had lived in Kuwait between 2012 and 2023. There, he allegedly came into contact with a technician identified as Charlie alias Saddam. Police claim that through these contacts, Asif later connected with a Mumbai-based individual named Ahil, and together they allegedly developed an illegal online gaming application called “Anna Ready.”
Investigators allege that the app was used to lure unsuspecting users into online gaming and investment-related schemes, through which money was collected fraudulently. Authorities are now examining whether funds generated through the app were routed abroad using illegal channels.
Asset Tracing and Identity Document Counterfeiting
Police have also begun scrutinising properties allegedly purchased using proceeds from cyber crime. Officials said luxury vehicles, residential property and land registered in the names of Asif and his wife Shagufta have come under investigation. These include Hyundai Verna and Tata Punch vehicles, land reportedly worth lakhs of rupees and a residential house allegedly purchased using illegal earnings.
Further investigation revealed that Asif allegedly used forged documents to conceal his identity and legitimise the fraudulent operations. Police claim he obtained fake PAN cards, forged identity credentials, fabricated identity papers and counterfeit GST registration details by altering personal information, including his date of birth.
Authorities are now conducting an extensive probe into the technical, financial and interstate dimensions of the racket. Investigators believe the case may not be limited to a local cyber fraud operation but could be part of a broader organised financial crime network operating across multiple states and possibly with overseas links.
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.
