Varanasi — The Varanasi Police Commissionerate’s Cyber Crime Unit has dismantled an interstate gang that defrauded people across India by offering fake Zepto grocery delivery franchises online. Acting on a complaint lodged by a local resident, the police arrested two cybercriminals, including the gang leader, from Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) and Nalanda (Bihar).
The accused were identified as Shatanu Kumar (25), the alleged mastermind, and Vikas Kumar (30), an active member of the gang who had earlier served jail time in Maharashtra for similar cyber fraud.
During the arrests, the police recovered 14 mobile phones, 2 laptops, 3 SIM cards, 4 forged documents, Wi-Fi routers, and ₹54,500 in cash. The total value of the seized electronic equipment is estimated to be over ₹3.8 lakh.
₹20 Lakh Fraud Triggers Probe
The case came to light when Ayush Kumar, a resident of Rohaniya, Varanasi, filed a complaint alleging that he was defrauded of ₹20.16 lakh under the pretext of acquiring a Zepto franchise license.
Following the complaint, a case was registered under the Cyber Crime Police Station, and Inspector Gopal Ji Kushwaha was assigned to lead the investigation.
Under the supervision of Commissioner of Police Mohit Agarwal and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Saravanan T, and with guidance from ADCP (Cyber Crime) Neetu Kadyan and ACP (Cyber Crime) Vidush Saxena, two dedicated teams were formed. Leveraging digital footprint tracking and electronic surveillance, the police traced the accused across multiple states.
How the Gang Operated: Deception by Design
Investigators revealed that the gang used a highly organized modus operandi involving digital deception and social engineering:
- Creation of Fake Websites: The gang cloned official pages of leading brands including Zepto, Blinkit, Amul Dairy, Dhani Finance, Volmo, and Zudio.
- Google and Meta Ads: They ran paid ads to make these fake websites appear on top of search results whenever someone searched for franchise opportunities.
- Data Harvesting: When victims entered their details on these websites, the gang received the information through the website’s web-email feature.
- Fabricated Documentation: Using forged company letters, registration forms, and invoices, they tricked victims into believing they were in touch with the official company.
- Fraudulent Payments: Victims were persuaded to pay “registration” or “security deposits” worth several lakhs via UPI or bank transfers. Once the payments were made, the gang would block all contact and vanish.
Police believe the syndicate may have cheated dozens of victims across multiple states, using similar brand impersonation tactics.
Recovered Items and Police Action
During the coordinated raids, police seized:
- 11 Android smartphones worth ₹2.2 lakh
- 2 keypad phones worth ₹4,000
- 2 laptops worth ₹1.5 lakh
- 2 Wi-Fi routers worth ₹15,000
- ₹54,500 cash
- 3 SIM cards and 4 forged documents
The investigation team included Inspector Gopal Ji Kushwaha, Inspectors Rakesh Kumar Gautam, and Sub-Inspectors Sanjeev Kanojia, Shailendra Kumar, and Vivek Singh, supported by ASI Gaurav Tomar and a technical team of 12 constables and head constables.
Police Advisory: Verify Before You Invest
The Varanasi Police Commissionerate hailed the operation as a significant success in the fight against organized cyber fraud. Authorities urged citizens to remain vigilant and verify company credentials only through official websites and authorized communication channels before paying any franchise or investment fee.
“Cybercriminals are exploiting trusted brand names and search engine ads to target aspirants seeking small business opportunities. Public awareness and official verification are key to prevention,” said a senior cyber officer.
