Fake Female Persona, Real Crime: Azamgarh Youth Arrested for Cyber Fraud
A 22-year-old in Azamgarh used a fake female persona to scam elderly victims and distribute offensive material. Read more about the police operation.
In a coordinated crackdown on digital crime, the Azamgarh Cyber Cell and Jiyanpur Police have arrested a 22-year-old man for operating a sophisticated cyber fraud racket involving the distribution of offensive material and the exploitation of unsuspecting victims. The suspect, identified as Gopal Chauhan, son of Ramashish Chauhan and a resident of Asrupur, was apprehended on Tuesday following an investigation into the possession and sharing of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM).
The Deceptive Modus Operandi
Investigations reveal that Gopal Chauhan employed a calculated strategy to lure his victims. By creating a fake female persona on social media platforms, specifically Snapchat, he managed to establish contact with targets. To gain their trust and initiate engagement, he allegedly sent explicit photos and screenshots of videos sourced from the internet.
Once the victims were hooked, the operation shifted to Telegram. There, the accused allegedly demanded money in exchange for obscene video calls and further offensive content. In a cruel twist of fraud, there were multiple instances where Chauhan collected payments or mobile recharges from the victims but failed to deliver the promised content.
Targeting the Elderly
Police believe that the accused specifically targeted a vulnerable demographic, primarily focusing on individuals aged 50 or older. By exploiting the digital naivety or loneliness of elderly citizens, he was able to sustain his fraudulent activities for several months.
The Raid and Digital Evidence
The joint operation by the Jiyanpur Police and the Cyber Cell led to the arrest of the suspect and the seizure of critical evidence. During the raid, authorities recovered:
- Two mobile phones.
- Cash amounting to 2,210 rupees.
A preliminary examination of the seized devices provided a disturbing glimpse into the suspect's activities. Police found a trove of offensive photos and videos, a detailed web search history related to such content, and evidence of his active membership in various '18 plus' groups on Telegram.
The Money Trail
The financial footprint of the fraud is equally alarming. Authorities analyzed banking records covering the period from January 1 to October 22, 2026. The data indicates that approximately 4.34 lakh rupees were credited to Chauhan's account. These funds arrived in small, frequent increments, with individual transactions ranging from as little as 20 rupees to 500 rupees, suggesting a high volume of victims.
The police are now conducting a comprehensive verification process, utilizing digital forensic evidence and detailed banking records to uncover the full extent of the crime and identify all involved parties.