In a major breakthrough, Varanasi cyber crime police arrested Sanjeet Singh (35) and Krishna Shaw, both residents of Kolkata, for operating a cyber fraud racket that duped people by offering fake business franchises of reputed Indian brands.
According to DCP (Crime) T Sarvanan, the arrested duo were key members of an interstate cyber gang and were apprehended based on a complaint filed by Anil Kumar Singh, a resident of Bankat village in Lohata. He alleged that he was defrauded of Rs14 lakh under the pretense of acquiring a franchise of Adani Cement.
Investigators uncovered that Sanjeet Singh was the kingpin behind the racket, creating counterfeit websites mimicking legitimate corporate domains of companies like McDonald’s, KFC, Dominos, Haldiram, JSW Steel, and Adani Cements.
Items seized include:
12 mobile phones
A laptop
Multiple SIM cards
Rs15,430 in cash
Rs5.83 lakh frozen in bank accounts
A customer data diary
The suspects lured victims using websites and phone calls, demanding upfront deposits in return for franchise rights, and vanished once the money was received.
Authorities are expanding the probe to identify further accomplices and victims across states. The case underscores growing cyber threats targeting aspiring entrepreneurs.