A suspected international cyber fraud network operating through bank accounts in Kanpur has been uncovered by the Kanpur Commissionerate Police and Crime Branch, with 3 people arrested for allegedly arranging accounts for cybercriminals linked to Dubai.
According to police, the accused allegedly approached ordinary and economically vulnerable people with promises of government benefits, financial assistance or banking services. Their identity documents were then allegedly used to open bank accounts, which were made available to cyber fraudsters to receive and transfer money taken from victims across India.
Investigators found contacts involving 23 bank officials and employees in the phones, call records and messages of the arrested suspects. Police suspect some employees may have knowingly helped with account openings, transactions or account-related issues in return for commissions. However, contact with an accused person alone does not establish criminal involvement, and the role of each employee is still being investigated.
Police have identified Kapil Verma alias Kapil Dev alias Shanty as a key alleged member of the network. Originally from Chaudgara in Fatehpur, he reportedly lived in Coal Nagar, Kanpur, for around 8 years and also ran a shop in Naubasta.
The other arrested accused are Abhay Pratap, a science graduate from Saadh in Kanpur, and Rohit Singh, who allegedly joined the network more recently. Police are searching for Amit Singh alias Jagdish, Rahul, KP and Ashish, who are reportedly absconding.
Investigators have also identified Sultan Mirza alias Abhay Shukla alias John Sheena alias Valentine, who is allegedly based in Dubai, as an important contact. His exact role remains under investigation.
Police analysed digital records dating back to 2024 and found contacts involving employees linked to several financial institutions, including Bank of India, Canara Bank, DCB Bank, CSB Bank, Punjab National Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Overseas Bank, Ujjivan Finance, Jana Small Finance Bank and Airtel Payments Bank, among others.
A register showing transactions worth around ₹23 crore was reportedly recovered. Police are examining whether this represents only part of the wider network’s financial activity. Investigators allege that around 40% of the proceeds was distributed as commissions at different stages.
The probe began after police analysed 29 complaints filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and found links between fraud cases, mobile numbers and bank accounts.
Investigators suspect the arrested accused acted as intermediaries by arranging mule accounts through which cyber fraud proceeds were moved across multiple accounts and payment channels. Police are also examining whether some funds were transferred towards Dubai through banking channels or alleged hawala networks.
The suspected transactions identified so far amount to around ₹23 crore, though police believe the figure could rise to approximately ₹100 crore as more records are examined. Investigators also suspect the wider network may be linked to cyber fraud exceeding ₹5,000 crore across India.
The investigation will now focus on tracing the complete money trail, examining the role of the 23 bank employees, identifying additional members and determining whether suspected proceeds were moved overseas.
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