A 62-year-old progressive farmer, Sharad Chandra Saxena from Shahjahanpur, was cheated of Rs1.04 crore by an interstate cyber fraud gang that trapped him in a fake legal case and subjected him to what police describe as a digital arrest.
The gang, spread across several states, impersonated law enforcement and financial officials, accusing Saxena of involvement in illegal transactions worth Rs2.8 crore. Over two weeks, using video calls, forged documents, and false legal threats
Believing he was under constant digital surveillance, Saxena transferred over Rs1 crore to accounts controlled by the fraudsters, who cut all contact after promising a clean chit.
Police investigation revealed the money was routed through multiple accounts nationwide. Among the transactions, a significant Rs71 lakh was sent to a corporate account in Hyderabad that had suspicious activity worth Rs3 crore on the same day.
Seven accused have been arrested from various locations: Sachin Ahirwar (Jhansi), Prashant Katara (Agra), Gautam Singh alias Thakur (Delhi), Sandeep Kumar Pundir (Bulandshahr), Syed Saif alias Sonu (Faridabad), Aryan Sharma (Ghaziabad), and Pawan Yadav (Tikamgarh). Gautam Singh, holding an MBA, allegedly coordinated funds and communications.
Authorities recovered nine mobile phones, seven debit cards, and a bank passbook from the accused. Police say the arrested are mid-level operatives; the mastermind remains at large with efforts underway to track him.
