A large-scale cyber fraud network disguised as online gaming operations has been uncovered in the city, exposing a well-organised racket with international links and multiple active branches.
Police action in the Barra area led to the arrest of 8 accused connected to one branch of the syndicate. A court has sent all accused to 14 days of judicial custody after an earlier 2-day police remand. While one branch has been dismantled, 2 others remain absconding and have gone underground.
Investigations revealed that the network was being operated from overseas, mainly from Dubai. Within India, handlers based in Delhi, Noida, and Haryana were managing operations linked to Branches 24, 25, and 26 in Kanpur. After the crackdown on Branch 24, members of the remaining branches switched off their phones to evade arrest.
The gang used cloned versions of banned gaming platforms such as Lotus 365, Reddy Book, Kartikeya, and Dubai EXH to trap victims. Links were circulated through Telegram and Instagram Reels, offering small initial profits to gain trust. Once users were convinced, they were pushed to invest larger amounts, which were then siphoned off.
To avoid detection, accused frequently conducted transactions while travelling in cabs. Police have urged cab drivers and auto operators to report any suspicious activity immediately.
The fraud relied heavily on forged documentation. Fake GST numbers were used to open current accounts, enabling daily transactions worth lakhs of rupees and making the money trail difficult to trace. So far, 78 bank accounts linked to the network have been identified, and transaction details have been sought from banks.
Preliminary findings show the gang has defrauded victims of over ₹100 crore. Even after the arrests, the network remained active, with around ₹50 lakh withdrawn from a single account in just 1 day.
During questioning, accused revealed they were initially hired for call center jobs and gradually pulled into the fraud. Once involved, financial pressure and incentives made it difficult to exit.
Authorities are now focusing on tracking key operators in Delhi, Noida, and Haryana. Special teams are being formed for further action, and more revelations are expected as the probe continues.
“These gangs first build trust by showing small profits, then gradually push users into making larger investments. By using fake GST identities and multiple bank accounts, they layer transactions in a way that makes it extremely difficult for investigators to trace the money trail.”
Experts have warned people to avoid unknown links, suspicious gaming offers, and platforms promising quick returns. The case highlights the growing threat of cybercrime networks targeting unsuspecting users through illegal online gaming operations.
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