Lucknow Police have arrested three members of a pan-India cyber fraud gang responsible for at least 67 scams across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh, causing losses of over Rs 100 crore. The gang was also linked to a recent case in Lucknow where a 73-year-old woman was duped of Rs 56 lakh.
Those arrested include Mohammed Zaid, a law student from a private university; Chitransh Kunwar, a medical equipment businessman from Indiranagar; and Mohan Kumar Rawat of Sugamau. The gang reportedly used fake identities, forged court documents, and a numberless SUV to impersonate legal authorities. The gang’s kingpin, Sameer Ansari alias Munna Bhaiya, remains absconding.
The gang came under police scrutiny after Rita Bhasin, a resident of IT Colony in Aishbagh, filed a complaint on July 18. She was contacted by fraudsters posing as CBI officials, who falsely claimed her Aadhaar and mobile were linked to criminal activity. During a WhatsApp video call, one fraudster, dressed as a police officer, threatened her with arrest and money laundering charges.
The victim was coerced into isolating herself in view of a video camera and asked to transfer 99% of her funds to a so-called “Supreme Court bank account,” with assurances that it would be recovered later. The fraudsters also sent fake arrest warrants and court orders to strengthen their deception.
DCP Rallapalli Vasanth Kumar stated that the arrested individuals used a vehicle without a number plate for money collection. Investigations have so far uncovered 67 similar cases across India, with funds routed through bank accounts controlled by the accused. The gang members reportedly communicated via a private group chat to coordinate their operations.
