Gorakhpur: In a major crackdown on cybercrime in Uttar Pradesh, police have arrested a key accused from Gorakhpur in connection with a ₹2.27 crore fraud carried out through a fake stock trading application. The operation was conducted by the Sonbhadra Cyber Police Station after a detailed investigation based on banking transactions and digital fund flow analysis exposed the entire network.
According to officials, the defrauded money was initially transferred into an Axis Bank account registered in the name of Gorakhpur resident Pradeep Singh. This critical lead helped investigators trace the accused through technical surveillance and financial records.
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Investment Trap Using Fake Trading App
The case came to light after the victim, Yugul Kishore Tiwari, a resident of NCL Bina, was contacted on January 13, 2025, by an unknown individual who sent him a link to a fraudulent trading application named “Sharekhan Edge.”
The app was designed to closely resemble legitimate investment platforms, which convinced the victim to invest. Over time, the accused and his associates repeatedly persuaded him to invest more money by showing fake profits, ultimately cheating him out of a total of ₹2,27,02,616. This “initial profit display” tactic is commonly used in such cyber frauds to build trust before executing large-scale scams.
Call-Center Style Fraud Operation Running from Office
Investigations revealed that the accused Pradeep Singh was operating the entire network from an office located in Vidhyavasini Colony on Bank Road in Gorakhpur. To avoid suspicion, a signboard of a solar franchise business was displayed outside the premises.
Inside, however, the setup functioned as a structured cyber fraud call center. Around 10 individuals were employed to call and message potential victims, luring them into fake investment schemes.
Use of Shell Accounts to Hide Transactions
Police findings suggest that the gang used multiple bank accounts and shell entities to circulate the fraud money, making it difficult to trace the original source of funds. The entire operation was carefully structured to appear legitimate at the initial stages of banking scrutiny.
Arrest and Recovery
According to Cyber Police Station Incharge D.K. Chaudhary, the accused was arrested late at night near AIIMS Gorakhpur. Two mobile phones were recovered from his possession, which have been sent for forensic examination.
Authorities believe that the digital evidence stored in these devices could provide crucial information about the wider network, including bank accounts and other associates involved in the scam.
Investigation Expands to Identify Other Members
Police officials stated that the arrested accused is not acting alone, and several others may be part of the syndicate. A detailed probe is underway, focusing on bank records, digital transactions, and call detail records to identify additional suspects.
Officials have also indicated that more arrests are likely in the coming days as the investigation progresses.
Expert Warning on Rising Cyber Fraud
Commenting on the case, renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh warned that such gangs systematically target individuals using fake investment platforms and promises of high returns. He noted that cybercriminals first build trust by showing small fake profits and then trap victims into investing large sums before disappearing with the funds.
Cyber Police Advisory
Cyber police have urged citizens to exercise caution while dealing with unknown links, apps, or investment platforms. Officials emphasized that any promise of unusually high returns is often a clear indicator of fraud.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities suspect that the network may extend across multiple states, with further revelations expected in the coming days.
