The cyber crime cell of Balrampur Police has uncovered a massive inter-state fraud involving illegal online gaming and loan apps, arresting three key members of the syndicate in Lucknow.
The accused were identified as:
Rahul Mishra, resident of Amethi
Nirmal Kumar, resident of Bahora, Farrukhabad
Dharmendra Singh, resident of Auraiya
Police seized three Android smartphones from them containing details of 85 bank accounts, 31 of which revealed suspicious transactions worth Rs60.24 crore. Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar stated that so far seven arrests have been made in connection with the racket, with total financial transactions linked to the scam amounting to Rs112 crore. Investigations also revealed that a portion of the funds was routed to Pakistan through cryptocurrency transfers.
The gang reportedly operated via illegal betting and gaming apps, including Superpay, Bropay, Sarkpay, Avitor, and Teenpatti, luring victims through Telegram and WhatsApp groups with promises of easy earnings. Users were trapped in betting scams, and the funds were routed through multiple mule accounts, converted into cryptocurrency, and transferred abroad.
In addition, the syndicate ran fraudulent loan apps, disbursing small amounts but charging exorbitant interest rates, coercing borrowers to pay large sums under pressure.
Police recovered extensive digital evidence, including Telegram group data, WhatsApp chats, bank account information, and crypto wallets, and are coordinating with crypto exchanges to trace wallet-to-wallet movements and identify international operatives linked to the racket.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to dismantle the entire network across Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
