Kanpur Police Unravel Massive Rs 80 Crore Interstate Cyber Fraud Network
In a significant crackdown, the Kanpur police have successfully dismantled a sophisticated interstate cyber fraud ring valued at a staggering Rs 80 crore. The operation, spearheaded by the notorious figure dubbed 'Digital King', was busted through a coordinated effort involving the Naubasta police and the Lucknow Special Task Force (STF).
Arrest of Key Operatives 'Digital King' and 'Kaira'
The investigation traced the illicit funds to a bank account in Delhi, which was operated by Karan Kasera, alias 'Digital King', and his accomplice Gulshan Kumar, alias 'Kaira'. Both individuals were apprehended on Saturday, marking a crucial breakthrough in the case.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
The fraud came to light after a victim filed a complaint at the Naubasta police station. The complainant had received a Facebook link on his mobile phone, inviting him to join an equity group for share trading. Upon clicking the link, he was added to a WhatsApp group named "Shraddha Shakti", where he was lured with promises of high returns on investments.
Persuaded by these false assurances, the victim transferred Rs 7 lakh in multiple instalments. However, the associated app was subsequently shut down, and his funds were siphoned off. This prompted him to file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and lodge a formal FIR at the Naubasta police station.
Extensive Network and Financial Trail
During the probe, authorities discovered that the defrauded amount was funneled through various bank accounts, ultimately reaching a Delhi-based account by the fifth layer of transactions. The investigation revealed alarming details:
- Over 600 complaints were registered against this bank account on the NCRP portal nationwide.
- Thirteen FIRs were filed in different districts of Uttar Pradesh alone.
- Approximately Rs 26 crore was defrauded in these registered cases.
- The suspect account, held in the name of Ajay Kumar, recorded transactions totaling around Rs 80 crore over a three-month period.
Notably, prior to this bust, one individual was digitally arrested, and about Rs 35 lakh was returned to them from the suspect account, highlighting the scale of the operation.
Uncovering the Masterminds Behind the Scam
Given the severity of the case, the Naubasta police team extended their investigation to the Abohar area in Fazilka district, Punjab. It was found that the bank account was opened under the name of Ajay Kumar, a cobbler, but was actually operated by his associates Karan Kasera and Gulshan Kumar.
"Ajay Kumar had previously been arrested by Delhi police and is currently incarcerated," police sources confirmed. During questioning, Karan Kasera and Gulshan Kumar admitted to defrauding people by promising to double or triple their money through trading on platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp.
Police discovered that the illicit funds were transferred through multiple accounts, reaching up to the fifth or sixth layer to evade detection and complicate the trail.
Digital Evidence and Ongoing Investigation
Kanpur Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal provided insights into the digital evidence analysis. Examination of seized iPhones revealed several WhatsApp groups used to operate the cyber fraud network, employing both foreign and Indian phone numbers.
Commissioner Lal stated, "Investigators found that the fraudulently obtained money was withdrawn in cash using cheques and ATMs, and was utilized for personal expenses. The involvement of 'Digital King' and 'Kaira' in operating the gang has been clearly established."
He further added that the role of bank employees in facilitating transactions in the accused's accounts is under suspicion, with notices already issued by the Income Tax Department. The investigation is ongoing to identify other individuals involved, scrutinize additional bank accounts, and analyze further digital evidence.
This bust underscores the growing threat of cyber fraud in India and highlights the critical need for enhanced digital vigilance and robust law enforcement collaboration to combat such sophisticated criminal networks.
