Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested 13 individuals during a large-scale operation against an alleged cyber fraud network operating from villages in Kanpur’s Sachendi area.

Investigators allege that members of the network impersonated police and Crime Branch officials to frighten victims into transferring money. The accused are also suspected of using false promises of benefits under government schemes to collect payments.

The police operation involved approximately 125 personnel, coordinated raids across four villages and the use of drones to monitor movement in the area.

Authorities are continuing efforts to trace more than 20 suspected members who are believed to be connected with the network.

The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.

Coordinated Raids Conducted Across Four Villages

According to police, intelligence inputs and technical surveillance indicated that members of the suspected network were operating from villages under the Sachendi Police Station limits.

Raiding teams were deployed simultaneously to reduce the possibility of suspects escaping or alerting one another.

The operation reportedly involved:

• Approximately 125 police personnel
• Multiple specialised teams
• Technical surveillance
• Local intelligence inputs
• Drone-assisted monitoring
• Coordinated entry into four villages

Police said the drones helped monitor movement and allowed officers to position teams around the targeted locations before conducting the arrests.

Accused Allegedly Posed as Police Officers

Investigators allege that the suspects contacted victims by telephone while pretending to be:

• Police officers
• Crime Branch personnel
• Cybercrime officials
• Other law enforcement representatives

The callers allegedly used authoritative language, threats and false legal claims to convince victims that they were under investigation.

This impersonation was designed to create fear and pressure victims into making immediate payments without independently verifying the caller’s identity.

Victims Threatened Over Alleged Pornographic Content

One of the alleged methods involved falsely accusing victims of viewing pornographic material or participating in criminal activity.

According to investigators, callers reportedly told victims that:

• Their mobile number had been identified in an investigation.
• Their internet activity was under surveillance.
• A criminal case would be registered against them.
• Police officers would arrest them.
• Immediate payment could prevent legal action.

The accused allegedly demanded money to close the fictional complaint or avoid arrest.

Such threats are commonly designed to exploit embarrassment and fear, reducing the likelihood that victims will discuss the call with relatives or police.

Government Scheme Benefits Also Used as Bait

Police allege that the network used a separate method involving false promises connected with government welfare schemes.

Victims were reportedly offered benefits under schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and were later asked to pay money for:

• Registration
• File processing
• Document verification
• Approval fees
• Release of benefits
• Other fabricated administrative charges

Investigators are examining whether the suspects obtained personal documents from victims in addition to collecting money.

Two Teams Allegedly Coordinated the Calls

Police said the gang allegedly operated through two coordinated groups.

The first group reportedly spoke directly with victims, issued threats or made false promises.

The second group allegedly created background sounds to make the call appear genuine.

These sounds reportedly included:

• Police sirens
• Control room noise
• Radio communication
• Voices of supposed officers
• Other official-sounding audio

The background effects were intended to convince victims that the caller was operating from an actual police station or government control room.

Fear-Based Social Engineering at the Centre of Scam

The alleged operation did not necessarily require advanced hacking tools.

Instead, it relied on social engineering—the manipulation of victims through fear, urgency and false authority.

The callers allegedly attempted to prevent victims from thinking clearly by claiming that immediate consequences would follow if payment was delayed.

Typical psychological pressure in such scams may include:

• Threats of arrest
• Claims that a family member is in danger
• Allegations of illegal online activity
• Warnings that a bank account will be frozen
• Demands to remain on the phone
• Instructions not to inform anyone

The objective is to isolate the victim and force a rushed financial decision.

Roads Allegedly Dug Up to Delay Police

Investigators also alleged that roads leading to certain villages had been deliberately damaged or dug up.

Police believe the obstruction may have been intended to:

• Slow the arrival of police vehicles
• Create additional escape time
• Restrict movement of larger vehicles
• Alert suspects during enforcement action

Authorities are investigating who was responsible for altering the roads and whether the action was directly connected with the alleged cybercrime network.

Accused Reportedly Aged Between 18 and 30

Police stated that the arrested individuals are between 18 and 30 years old.

Preliminary findings suggest that most had educational qualifications ranging from primary school to higher secondary school, while only a small number were graduates.

Investigators are examining whether they received:

• Fraud scripts
• Victim contact lists
• Technical assistance
• SIM cards
• Bank accounts
• Training from other cybercrime groups

The inquiry will seek to determine whether the operation was locally developed or connected to a larger organised network.

Twenty-Nine Mobile Phones and Three Cars Seized

During the raids, police reportedly recovered:

• Twenty-nine mobile phones
• Three cars
• Multiple digital devices
• Other material suspected to be connected with the alleged fraud

The devices are expected to undergo forensic examination.

Investigators may analyse:

• Call records
• Messaging applications
• Contact lists
• Audio recordings
• Bank account information
• Payment screenshots
• Victim details
• Deleted files
• Location records

The vehicles may also be examined to determine whether they were used for collecting cash, transporting suspects or facilitating the operation.

Around 200 Victims May Have Been Targeted

Police estimate that the gang may have cheated approximately 200 victims during the previous two to three years.

The alleged financial loss is believed to exceed ₹2 crore, although the final amount will depend on the verification of complaints and banking records.

Investigators will compare victim statements with:

• Bank transfers
• UPI payments
• Mobile wallet records
• Cash withdrawals
• Account holder details
• Call records

The amount attributed to the network may increase if additional victims come forward.

More Than 189 NCRP Complaints Identified

Police said approximately 189 complaints linked to the accused or their suspected digital infrastructure were found on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

The complaints reportedly originated from:

• Delhi
• Kerala
• Tamil Nadu
• Madhya Pradesh
• Rajasthan
• Maharashtra
• Uttarakhand

The geographic spread indicates that the alleged operation may have targeted victims across India rather than being limited to Uttar Pradesh.

Interstate Financial Trail Under Investigation

Authorities are tracing where the money paid by victims was transferred.

Investigators are expected to examine:

• Mule bank accounts
• UPI IDs
• Payment wallets
• ATM withdrawals
• Transfers between related accounts
• Cash collection networks
• Possible cryptocurrency conversion

Cybercrime networks frequently move funds through several accounts to make the final beneficiaries difficult to identify.

Additional Suspects Remain Absconding

Police are searching for more than 20 suspected members believed to be associated with the network.

The absconding individuals may include:

• Callers
• SIM card suppliers
• Account providers
• Cash withdrawal agents
• Technical facilitators
• Network organisers

Authorities are conducting field inquiries and examining communication records to determine their locations.

Fake Police Calls Must Be Independently Verified

Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh has warned that criminals increasingly impersonate law enforcement agencies to exploit public fear.

People receiving threatening calls should remember that legitimate police officers do not normally demand immediate payments to prevent arrest or close a criminal case.

Recipients should:

• Disconnect the call.
• Note the phone number.
• Contact the relevant police station independently.
• Call the official emergency or cybercrime helpline.
• Avoid clicking links or installing applications.
• Never share OTPs, PINs or banking credentials.

Verification should be conducted using an official number obtained independently, not a number provided by the caller.

Police Do Not Collect Penalties Through Personal Accounts

A demand to transfer money to a personal bank account, UPI ID or digital wallet is a major warning sign.

Legitimate penalties and government payments generally follow formal procedures and provide official documentation.

Victims should not make payments based solely on:

• Telephone threats
• WhatsApp messages
• Video calls
• Digital identity cards
• Police sirens in the background
• Claims of confidential investigations

Sound effects, uniforms and identity cards can all be fabricated.

Verify Government Scheme Offers

People approached with promises of benefits under housing or welfare schemes should verify the offer through official government portals or local authorities.

Warning signs include:

• Guaranteed approval
• Demands for urgent payment
• Requests to transfer money to individuals
• Contact through unofficial mobile numbers
• Claims that a benefit will be cancelled immediately
• Requests for OTPs or banking credentials

Government benefits should not be pursued through unverified agents or callers.

Victims Should Report Quickly

Anyone who transfers money in response to a fraudulent call should act immediately.

Recommended steps include:

• Calling the cyber fraud helpline 1930
• Reporting through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
• Informing the bank
• Requesting that the recipient account be frozen
• Preserving call recordings and messages
• Taking screenshots of transaction details
• Filing a police complaint

Rapid reporting can improve the possibility of stopping or recovering the funds before they are moved through multiple accounts.

Investigation Continues

Police are continuing to:

• Analyse the seized digital devices
• Trace financial transactions
• Identify mule accounts
• Locate absconding suspects
• Verify complaints from different states
• Examine links with other cybercrime networks

Further arrests and legal proceedings are expected as more evidence is recovered.

The guilt or innocence of the arrested and suspected individuals will ultimately be determined by the competent court after due process.

Shunyatax Global Insight

Shunyatax Global says that fear-based cyber fraud succeeds when criminals create artificial urgency and prevent victims from independently verifying their claims. A police siren, official language or digital identity card does not prove that a caller represents a law enforcement agency. Individuals should never transfer money to avoid a threatened arrest or obtain a promised government benefit. Banks, telecom providers and authorities should also strengthen monitoring of repeated complaint-linked numbers, mule accounts and suspicious payment patterns to disrupt such networks at an earlier stage.