71-YEAR-OLD VICTIM KEPT ON DIGITAL ARREST FOR AROUND 24 HOURS. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGISTERED AGAINST THE ACCUSED ON THE NATIONAL CYBER CRIME REPORTING PORTAL
Face2News/New Delhi
The Cyber Cell of the Crime Branch has achieved a significant breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown against organized cyber enabled financial fraud. A major syndicate involved in Digital Arrest–based cheating has been dismantled during the investigation of FIR No. 8/25, registered on the complaint of a 71-year-old woman who was duped of ₹49,00,000. The accused used psychological coercion, impersonation of law-enforcement agencies, and technical deception to extort and cheat the victim.
A series of coordinated raids were conducted in Aminabad, Hasanganj, Madey Ganj, and Sadar Cantt (Lucknow). Technical investigation helped identify key members of the syndicate—several of whom have been apprehended.
Mr. Aditya Gautam, DCP, Cyber Cell, Crime Branch, said, the syndicate impersonated police officials and government agencies to intimidate victims—a hallmark of the Digital Arrest scam., Victim was threatened with legal action and coerced to transfer Rs. 49 lakhs to various bank accounts, Multi-layered bank accounts used to transfer money; and later withdrawn from ATMs Poor and unemployed youths from the locality were recruited to create and operate mule accounts for laundering proceeds of crime.
The accused identified as Mohd. Ovais (25) R/o Aminabad, Lucknow, tudied up to 5th standard; works at a flex-printing shop. Vishal Tiwari (19) R/o Dali Ganj, Hasanganj, Lucknow, First-year graduation student; works with a grocery chain. Shakeel Ahmad (53) R/o Madey Ganj, Illiterate; works as a tailor; facing trial in a separate criminal case (Sections 302/304B IPC). Mohd. Ahad (25) R/o Madey Ganj – Studied up to 8th standard; unemployed., Mohd. Atif (25) R/o Sadar Cantt, Studied up to 12th standard; works in private hotels., Mohd. Ujjaib (25) R/o Sadar Cantt
– Studied up to 12th standard; works in private hotels.
MODUS OPERANDI : Mr. Aditya Gautam, DCP, Cyber Cell, Crime Branch, said, the syndicate impersonated police officials and government agencies to intimidate victims—a hallmark of the Digital Arrest scam., Victim was threatened with legal action and coerced to transfer Rs. 49 lakhs to various bank accounts, Multi-layered bank accounts used to transfer money; and later withdrawn from ATMs Poor and unemployed youths from the locality were recruited to create and operate mule accounts for laundering proceeds of crime.
The operation was led by Inspector Subhash Chandra, with SI Jagseer Singh, HC Mohit Malik, and HC Gaurav, under the close supervision of ACP Shri Anil Sharma.