Rudrapur–Dubai Gaming Fraud Network Busted, ₹5.54 Crore Lost

Gaming Fraud Network Linking Rudrapur to Dubai Exposed, ₹5.54 Crore Defrauded Through Apps

Uttarakhand Police have uncovered a sophisticated cyber fraud network that used online gaming apps, cloned call centers, and remote-access tools to deceive thousands of individuals. The operation, which allegedly connected Rudrapur to handlers in Dubai, siphoned off at least ₹5.54 crore and may have targeted more than 50,000 users in just three months.

Investigators say the network was structured, technology-driven, and designed to appear legitimate to unsuspecting victims across multiple states.

A Fraud Built Behind the Façade of Online Gaming

The breakthrough came when officers raided a premises in Rudrapur expecting a small-scale phone scam. Instead, they found a full-fledged gaming fraud hub built to lure users into believing they could earn quick rewards.

The model began with small wins — often ₹500 to ₹600 — generated through manipulated gaming apps. Once victims felt confident, they were persuaded to invest larger sums, which were diverted into controlled bank accounts and mule networks.

At the centre, police say, was Manjeet Singh, alias Sonu, who had returned from Dubai after working in a call centre environment that exposed him to organised cyber fraud methods. His experience reportedly helped replicate the model in India, enabling rapid expansion and high-volume targeting.

A Network Extending Beyond District Borders

According to police, the group set up a fabricated call centre using rented rooms, customised software, and caller-ID masking systems. Potential victims were identified through promotional gaming leads and then contacted using spoofed numbers.

Amritpal — a suspect with past cyber cheating allegations — provided key information that led Police to identify Manjeet as the main operator. By the time raids were conducted, the network had already pulled in recruits from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Nepal, showing the scale and organised nature of the setup.

Technology as the Engine of Deception

The fraud relied heavily on technical manipulation. Victims were either tricked into sharing banking details or asked to install apps that silently granted remote access to their phones. Once inside, the operators allegedly initiated direct transfers from victim accounts without their knowledge.

Recovered equipment included:

• 13 mobile phones

• 13 laptops

• Two computer systems

• Multiple fabricated SIM cards

Police believe these devices contain crucial evidence, including chat logs and transaction trails linking the operation to Dubai-based handlers.

Tracing the Links Abroad as Arrests Mount

Investigators say several suspects maintained steady communication with fraud coordinators in Dubai, who provided scripts, instructions, and updates for running the deception. Manjeet allegedly remitted part of the proceeds abroad, a money trail now under forensic examination.

Six individuals have been arrested so far under charges related to cheating, cybercrime, and financial fraud. Authorities say more arrests are expected as device analysis and banking trail reconstruction continue.

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