A major cyber fraud investigation spanning multiple states and overseas locations has led to another arrest in Kanpur. Police have arrested Arif, the 3rd accused in an alleged ₹5,600 crore fraud network that reportedly targeted nearly 2,000 people across 18 Indian states and abroad.
Arif was arrested after returning from Mumbai, where he had allegedly been staying for 2 months. Investigators found that 3 bank accounts linked to firms with allegedly fake GST registrations were used to conduct transactions worth around ₹49 crore over 18 months.
How the alleged financial network operated
According to police, the accounts belonged to Arif Enterprises, SS Enterprises and Alamir Enterprises. Investigators also found that a State Bank of India branch on Birhana Road had sanctioned a ₹1.45 crore loan using allegedly forged documents.
Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said the accounts were used to route money linked to cyber fraud, hawala transactions, GST-related activities and the fraudulent loan.
Arif’s nephew, Faizan, allegedly introduced him to suspected gang leader Shahzeb Waris and helped set up the 3 accounts using fake GST registrations. Arif reportedly worked as a clerk for ₹8,000 at a scrap warehouse owned by another accused, Ehtisham Hussain, in Koyla Nagar. He told investigators that Shahzeb controlled the accounts and held the mobile number linked to them.
Investment scams and suspicious firms
Police said the network allegedly targeted victims through fraudulent investment schemes promising unusually high returns, digital arrest threats and other cyber fraud methods.
Investigators identified 77 allegedly fake slaughterhouse and scrap-trading firms used to move funds. Transactions were also reportedly routed through accounts belonging to online gaming winners and cricket betting participants.
Police found 86 complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) indicating Shahzeb’s alleged involvement. They also identified 45 suspicious firms operating across Kanpur, Unnao and nearby districts.
Investigation continues
Arif, a resident of Gamun Khan Hata, reportedly worked in Dubai for 6 years before returning to Kanpur around a year ago. He had recently been working as a loader with his father, Shabbir, at Chakarpur Mandi.
Shahzeb and Salman had already been arrested. Two other associates, Ikhlaq and Aamir, were served notices and released.
Investigators said Shahzeb fled to Dubai after a case was registered on August 18 but was later arrested in Hyderabad following a lookout notice. Police are continuing to examine financial transactions, suspected shell firms and links between the accused to establish the network’s full operations.
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